Evan Murray, a senior quarterback at Warren Hills Regional High School in New Jersey, died after being injured in a varsity football game. Watch video
Evan Murray (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) 1.) Evan Murray was a special kid
He was a good student who was near the top of his class. And he was a gifted athlete.
Murray, 17, was a dominant pitcher on the Blue Streaks' baseball team, the starting quarterback in football since his sophomore year and a good basketball player.
Friends and coaches described him as a leader whom other teens admired and respected.
2.) Murray was hurt during Friday night's game against Summit
Warren Hills officials have not said how Murray was hurt during the football team's third game of the season. Teammates say he had taken a couple of hits late in the first half that wobbled him.
"The last play before the half, he got hit and we helped him to the sideline," senior tackle Oscar Vega said.
Staff tended to Murray on the sideline and he gave a thumbs-up sign before he was loaded into the back of an ambulance, witnesses said.
He died later at Morristown Medical Center.
3.) Funeral services are set for later this week
A viewing will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Discovery Church, 33 Brass Castle Road, Washington Township. The funeral is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Warren Hills Memorial Home in Washington is in charge of arrangements. Funeral director Richard Maguire said the Murray family doesn't belong to Faith Discovery Church, but services will be held there because it can accommodate more people than most other places in the area.
4.) There has been a tremendous community response
From the moment Warren Hills students and staffers filed into the high school stadium Saturday morning to mourn and remember Murray, support for one another and the Murray family has been strong.
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Social media was filled with tributes to the teen. There were many visitors to his family's Washington Township home Saturday and Sunday.
A GoFundMe account established to help the family with anything they need had raised $35,000 in just over 24 hours. The GoFundMe was launched by Taylor Coughlin, a 16-year-old Warren Hills junior who was a friend of Murray.
5.) There are several unanswered questions
Monday will be a tough day at Warren Hills -- the first day back to school since the tragedy. School officials haven't said how the school will address the senior's death and keep classes focused.
The specific cause of Murray's death has yet to be revealed.
An autopsy was set for Saturday. On Sunday, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said authorities wouldn't have findings until at least Monday.
Also unclear is what impact the football player's passing will have on the remainder of the Blue Streaks' season. The team is scheduled to play at Voorhees on Friday night.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.