High School Football Star Believed to Have Died Shielding Others During Shooting: ‘He Was a Hero’

Mar. 15, 2025

Bryce Gerlach.Photo:Megan Coleman Photography

Megan Coleman Photography

An 18-year-old high school student who was killed in a shooting at a Harvest Homecoming event in Indiana has been remembered as a hero.

He said that through their preliminary investigation, it was “believed at least two groups of individuals were involved in a dispute” that “led to shots fired,” and that investigators had identified several persons of interest in the shooting. However, police did not say at the time whether anyone was apprehended.

Several of Gerlach’s classmates from Corydon Central High School toldWAVEthat they believed he had died a hero, trying to shield other people in his group from the bullets after the shooting began.

Bryce Gerlach.The Brave Way Home Facebook

The Brave Way Home Facebook

“It was very selfless what he did,” Gerlach’s friend Tanner Chumly told the outlet. “And I’m thankful he went out in such a heroic way so that’s how people remember him because that’s what he was. He was a hero."

Gerlach was identified as a varsity football player on the school’s team. Corydon Central Head Football Coach Luke Keller told theLouisville Courier Journalthat Gerlach “always jumped to the front line to take on that leadership role.”

Bryce Gerlach.GoFundMe

GoFundMe

The team is scheduled to play in a Friday night game against Silver Creek, where students are encouraged to wear blue, the varsity football player’s favorite color, in remembrance of him, Corydon Central Athletics said in aFacebook post.

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In aseparate post,the athletics team said “our hearts are incredibly heavy” following the news of the 18-year-old’s death.

“There are not enough words to describe the condolences we extend to his family and friends,” they added.

New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan also extended his “condolences” to Gerlach’s family in astatement on Facebook, adding, “Gun violence at a family festival is heartbreaking and tragic, and our country must find a way to come together to stop this type of violence.”

source: people.com