MARIETTA, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Students of Sprayberry High School in Marietta held a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening for former student and GSU graduate who was shot and killed last weekend.
More than 200 people, including current and former Sprayberry students, attended the vigil for Ayokunle Lumpkin, 23. Lumpkin's siblings and girlfriend also attended. They shared fond memories of the soccer standout.
Lumpkin's sister T.J. is in the 11th grade at Sprayberry. She plays for the soccer team.
"My brother wanted to go pro in soccer," she said. "Now I will work hard to go pro for him."
Lumpkin was shot and killed early Sunday morning in southeast Atlanta. His friends said he was trying help someone whose car was involved in a hit-and-run crash by tracking down the driver.
On Wednesday afternoon, an attorney who says he's been hired by the shooter said his client acted in self-defense and is prepared to tell his side of the story to detectives.
Dennis Scheib said his client, whose name he would not give, shot Lumpkin because he felt his life was in danger as he was being attacked by a mob of people.
"He got hit several times," said Sheri. "He got pushed down on the ground. They tried to knock his cell phone out of his hand."
Scheib said his client told him that Lumpkin tried to pull him out of his car, so he reached for a gun which was located between the seats. Scheib said his client tried to fire the gun but that it jammed. He claims that Lumpkin continued to come toward his client, so he fired again, fatally shooting him.
When asked why his client didn't go straight to the police, Schreiber answered, "He was scared, and people do many different things when they are upset and scared. He didn't know that the person was shot to the point where he died."
Police have located the car they believe the shooter was driving. So far, no arrest warrant has been issued.
Ayokunle Lumpkin's family said his funeral service will take place sometime next week.
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Ayokunle Lumpkin
