– Chris Lane tragedy: Murder charges, updates via The Age
THE grieving father of an Essendon baseballer who was shot dead in a random shooting in Oklahoma, USA, says the family is trying to come to terms with the loss a “talented and adored kid” whose life was brought to a “senseless” end.
Christopher Lane, 22, was jogging in the small town of Duncan on Friday when he was shot in a drive-by and left to die on the side of a road.
Addressing reporters this morning at the Boeing Reserve baseball field in Strathmore Heights where Christopher began his dream of playing the game, Peter Lane says his son Chris had left his mark on all those who knew him.
“There is not going to be any good come out of this because it was just so senseless,” he said. “There was nothing he did or could have done. He was loved and adored. He was just a normal and intelligent kid. He caused us some grief and caused us so much joy. He was on the cusp of making his life.”
Mr Lane said his son had left Australia at 18 to follow his dream and pursue a baseball scholarship as the team’s catcher at East Central University.
He died weeks before his 23rd birthday.
“It’s happened, it’s wrong and we just try and deal with it the best way we can,” he said. “We have all lost something that can never be replaced. Somebody we all love so much is not going to come home.”
He spoke of the love between his son and his American girlfriend of four-and-half years, Sarah Harper.
“They were just a couple in love, very comfortable with each other, they could just sit and know what each other was thinking,” he said. “He had gone from an 18 year-old kid who had gone to the States to a really fine young man who was setting himself up.”
Christopher, a former St Bernard’s College student, had just returned to the US from a 12-week trip to Australia with his girlfriend.
His mother Donna broke down when she spoke of her son’s last visit.
“We were just blessed to have him back for three months,” she said. “This time he came back really happy and with plans. Sarah was here too and together they were just a really lovely couple.”
The three teenagers accused of the shooting were on a ‘‘killing spree’’ after leaving a chilling message on Facebook, US authorities have said.
The accused killers – aged 15, 16 and 17 – shot Mr Lane in the back before driving away.
Essendon Baseball Club president Tony Cornish said the club is struggling to deal with his death.
“It is absolutely devastating news,” he said. “Chris and his parents are loved members of our club. To loose one of our own is catastrophic.”
He described Christopher as an elite sportsman and a good person.
He said the club was creating new uniforms with his initials and his number, 40, on a logo.
Mr Lane said the family was still waiting on word from US authorities on the repatriation of Christopher’s body.
Flowers and a baseball were placed on the home plate at Essendon Baseball Club inscribed with the words, “A wonderful young man taken too soon. Why?”
