Antenio Louis Jr., a 17-year-old football player from Akron, Ohio, tragically lost his life on August 16, 2023. The incident occurred as Louis was on his way to football practice as a passenger in a car driven by a 23-year-old friend. As they were traveling on E. Glenwood Avenue near Dan Street in Akron's North Hill neighborhood, another vehicle pulled in front of them and opened fire. Both Louis and the driver were shot inside their Hyundai Sonata.
Louis was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he succumbed to his injuries. The 23-year-old driver was also injured in the shooting. Just 15 minutes before the incident, Louis had texted his aunt, expressing his eagerness to attend practice, as his first game was scheduled for the following day.
In the months following the shooting, law enforcement made several arrests in connection with Louis's death. In October 2023, Akron police arrested a 22-year-old suspect for the shooting. Subsequently, in February 2024, it was reported that Ahmere Williams, 20, had been arrested and charged with aggravated murder in relation to the case.
A third suspect, Khairi Moorer, 22, of Akron, was apprehended and charged with aggravated murder in September 2024. Additionally, a 17-year-old boy was charged with murder in connection with the incident. In April 2024, another individual, Darrin Welch, was charged with murder and felonious assault in the drive-by shooting death of Louis.
The loss of Antenio Louis Jr. deeply affected his family and community. His grandmother, Tracy Snyder, who raised him, described Louis as a good and great kid who had been playing football since he was 8 years old. In response to this tragedy, Snyder is working on launching a non-profit organization called "Ball for Teno" to honor Louis's memory and help prevent future violence by reaching out to young children.
