A Bilal Russell Tribute

January 25th 2009: Last week, the state of Arizona lost one of it's most promising young student-athletes when former South Mountain High School graduate Bilal Russell was shot down and killed in his home on January 14th.

According to reports, Russell was shot several times in what they are saying was a case of "mistaken identity." According to police and family on Jan. 14 about 10:40PM, Russell answered the door to strangers asking for an unknown person who did not live at the house. The strangers refused to leave and opened fire, wounding Bilal.

According to Larry Russell, Bilal's father, his son ran through the house and crashed through a bedroom window to escape his attackers. He escaped into the backyard where he was found moments later by his younger brother.

Russell, a graduate of South Mountain High School in 1999, was an exceptional student, carrying better than a 4.0 CUM GPA. Russell's academic and athletic performance allowed for him to earn an athletic scholarship to Howard University.

Bilal was in the process of attending Law School back at Howard in Washington D.C., before he was maliciously shot down and killed.

I had the wonderful pleasure of spending some time with Bilal in his youth, and am very sad to see one of Arizona's brightest young talents taken away. While playing for the Arizona Magic, then called the Arizona SLAM, Russell gained college exposure for his talents and showcased his superior leadership qualities - qualities that allowed for him to become a pillar in the South Phoenix community.

It has taken me this long to write about this young man's tragedy since it really hit me hard. We live in a society today where young men like Bilal do not come around often, especially in a South Phoenix community where statistically we have the highest rate of paroles in the United States. As a resident of South Phoenix, Bilal will be surely missed by many. His family, friends and the many young people that he touched throughout his short life.

The death of Bilal Russell comes at a time in our country when America has declared that we want "change." The election of Barack Obama as our 44th President has shown that. So it beomes even more tragic to lose such a wonderful young man to such nonsense.

Because of "mistaken identity," Arizona, the United States and the world has lost one of it's bright, young promising talents.

Please join me in prayer for the loss of one of Arizona's own - Bilal Russell. Our prayers go out to him, his family and the many citizens of the South Phoenix community that will surely miss him.

Our prayers are with you Bilal. Your life and accomplishments have definitely made a tremendous difference in my life.

We love you.

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