High school football player shot in back while driving in Aliquippa

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — An Aliquippa High School student-athlete needed surgery after being shot Tuesday night in Beaver County.

Antonyo Anderson, 16, was shot in the back near his home along Superior Avenue.

His family said football means everything to Anderson, who caught a touchdown pass in the state championship game last season.

Now his dream of playing college football may be in jeopardy.

“It’s devastating for me. Here’s a kid doing all the right things, going down the right path, and this happens. It’s tragic,” said Aliquippa head coach Mike Warfield.

State police said Anderson was shot while driving his car outside Valley Terrace apartments.

He then lost control and crashed into an embankment. No arrests have been made.

Anderson had been at practice just a few hours before the shooting.

“Sonny was working hard. He was lifting weights. He was definitely going to get a scholarship to play football at the next level,” said Warfield.

Anderson was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical but stable condition.

“All our minds are so far away from football right now. It’s just a matter of wishing and praying for the best for his full recovery. It’s just senseless, and we have to do better because this kid had no involvement in illegal activity,” said Warfield.

Anderson’s father told Channel 11 it will be a long recovery process for his son, but the family is thankful he’s alive.

RAW: Teen shot while driving

©2021 Cox Media Group