GREENSBORO, N.C. — Recently retired football coach Kevin Gillespie said he spent 33 years teaching the game.
Gillespie spent a third of his career at Page High School where he coached Diondre Overton for two years.
He said Overton was a standout football player.
"He came in and just his presence, he had a way about him that people liked him," Gillespie shared.
The coach said he first met Overton in a weightlifting class and saw his drive for success. Gillespie then encouraged him to try out for the football team in 2014 and the rest was history.
"He came out his junior year and played successfully. It led to him being highly recruited his senior year," Gillespie said.
He said Overton's character spoke for itself, on and off the field. Gillespie said the news of Overton's death is gut-wrenching.
The 26-year-old was shot and killed at a house party on Spring Mill Road early Saturday morning.
Gillespie said gun violence has taken the lives of a few of his players over his 33-year coaching career.
"I think it might be the fourth or fifth one I've lost in all the years to something like that... it's unfortunate," he shared.
A local gun violence awareness group Gate City Coalition works with families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
After hearing about the sudden loss, program manager Ingram Bell said her group is ready to help the family during their time of grieving.
"We are willing to do anything that the community calls and needs us to do. We stand in solidarity with his family," she said.
The support for the family doesn't stop there, Coach Gillespie said many people have reached out to him to share the respect and love they have for Overton.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office said this is an ongoing homicide investigation and at this point is an isolated incident.
Anyone who has information or who attended the party is encouraged to contact Detective J. Robertson at 336-641-5969.
Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous should contact Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.