South Cobb High Mourns Slaying of 2010 Grad

The South Cobb High School community is mourning the loss of a 2010 graduate who was shot and killed Friday night in Alabama.

Bobby “BJ” Smith, 21, of Mableton, a senior finance major at Tuskegee University, died at a local hospital there after being shot in the back during a block party, according to reports. Smith, who played on the school's tennis team, was reportedly the father of a baby less than a month old, WSFA Channel 12 reported.

"Our school and community are saddened at the loss of one of our brightest stars and highest flying eagles," South Cobb High Principal Ashley Hosey wrote on his blog. "He was taken away too soon and with an act of senseless violence."

Hosey wrote that he had spoken with Smith before the student left to return to school. "He was excited about graduating from college and the possible opportunity to come back to his high school and talk to some of the students."

Hosey saw Smith as a "special young man." "... He had an infectious smile, a bigger than life personality, unlimited jokes and honestly a gift of mischievous adventure.  He had a magnetic personality people and always drew a group of friends wherever he went," Hosey recalled.

A vigil was held Saturday night for Smith at the Tuskegee tennis courts.

Tuskegee police and Alabama Bureau of Investigations are looking for a suspect, and no motive was immediately known.