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Corona del Mar High is remembering Erin Jones as a talented soccer player and kind teammate after the 20-year-old died Sunday after a shooting off-campus while attending the University of Arizona, officials said.
“Erin had a passion for the game of soccer but most importantly had a passion of being a kind and inclusive teammate to all,” Sea Kings girls soccer coach Bryan Middleton said Monday in a statement released by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
“Corona del Mar High School girls’ soccer program is grieving with the devastating loss of one of our own alumni Erin Jones. Our condolences go out to Erin’s family.”
Jones, according Tucson Police, suffered “gunshot trauma” with “life-threatening injuries” and was transported to a medical center. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, police stated.
Tucson Police stated that it received several 911 calls at about 1:40 a.m. on Sunday reporting a shooting in the 3200 block of E. 5th Street. Authorities stated that Jones was found with “obvious signs of gunshot trauma” outside of a residence.
Another adult female received aid and was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police stated. A teenage girl and adult male were also treated for non-life-threatening “gunshot trauma,” police added.
“Details are extremely limited at this time, and investigators are actively working on what led up to the shooting,” Tucson Police stated a press release late Sunday afternoon.
“They believe there was a large gathering at the residence before the shooting took place, and several witnesses left the area prior to police arriving. Investigators believe that several University of Arizona students were among those attending the large gathering.”
Jones, a 2022 graduate of Corona del Mar, played soccer for four years at Corona del Mar and earned all-league and all-CIF Southern California honors, Middleton said.
“I am at a loss for words about the tragic loss of life of our class of 2022 graduate Erin Jones,” Corona del Mar principal Jake Haley said in a statement.
“Erin was a well-known student on the Corona del Mar campus and the ripple effect of the loss will be felt by many, especially our soccer community where Erin was an active member. We are providing a space of gathering on campus this week for athletes and others who are directly impacted by the loss of Erin.”
University of Arizona soccer player and graduate student Megan Chelf, who played at Corona del Mar, posted a “Rest in peace EJ” tribute to her Instagram Stories along with a heart emoji.
The University of Arizona stated that Jones was a sophomore at the school.
“Our Wildcat community suffered a tragic loss early this morning with the off-campus death of sophomore Erin Jones,” university president Robert Robbins stated in a press release Sunday.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Erin’s family in California and across the country, her friends, and her classmates in Tucson and Newport Beach, who are absorbing the heartbreaking news today. I have spoken with Erin’s family and offered the university’s full support, and we will continue to be there for them.
“At the appropriate time, we will share information with the community regarding plans to honor her life and memory.”
Police ask anyone with information about to the incident to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.
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