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The oldest son of Osceola High School football coach Eric Pinellas was shot and killed Wednesday morning in a "senseless act of gun violence".
The Osceola High School community is praying for a lifting up one of its own, after the son of Kowboys varsity football coach Eric Pinellas was shot and killed early Wednesday morning.
The Kissimmee Police Department began investigating a shooting death near the intersection of Cypress and Bay Streets, a couple blocks north and east of the intersection of Vine Street and Orange Blossom Trail. By Thursday, KPD was able to confirm the deceased was Eric Donnell Pinellas, Jr., 30, Coach Pinellas' oldest son.
Police say they were dispatched to a call regarding gunshots in the area around 1:50 a.m., and found a victim with gunshot wounds, who was transported to a local hospital and later died from his wounds. Pinellas Jr. was reportedly either walking to or from a relative's house.
Coach Pinellas confirmed it was his son who passed away on social media late Wednesday night, noting he, "Lost (my) oldest son to senseless gun violence last night."
"Children are supposed to bury their parents, not the other way around. My son wasn't perfect, but he was perfect in my eyes," the elder Pinellas wrote. "He always had a smile on his face, his personality drew people to him and he was loved by many ... I still can't believe a coward did this to him. I'm so hurt, my heart is broken and I don't know if I will ever be the same."
Outpouring of prayers, emotion and strength immediately came from the Kowboys community -- friends, current and former teachers, OHS players and coaches.
"All Kowboys everywhere are grieving with Coach Eric Pinellas today," said former coach Bill Sharp.
Pinellas Jr. played varsity football at Osceola in 2008, his junior season.
"It's just awful. I had a lot of fun (coaching) that kid," former Kowboys assistant coach David Holder said.
The Kissimmee Police active investigation continues; the agency has not released any other details of the shooting. As there are currently no suspects named, anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Kissimmee Police Department at 407-846-3333.
