A 16-year-old high school football player was fatally shot inside a Camden, New Jersey home on June 6, 2025, in what family members describe as a tragic accident involving multiple teenagers.
Xyere Brooks, a sophomore at KIPP High School in Camden, was found with a gunshot wound at approximately 12:35 p.m. in a residence on the 1500 block of Thorn Street. He was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 2:15 p.m., according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
Multiple juveniles were present in the home at the time of the shooting, authorities confirmed. The victim’s brother, Manazh Tompkins, told reporters that a female held the gun to Brooks’ head and did not expect it to discharge. “She put the gun to his head, and I guess she didn’t expect it to go off,” Tompkins explained.
Brooks had spent the night at a friend’s house and was off from school that Friday. His mother, Antoinette Brooks, expressed concern about unsupervised teenagers having access to firearms in homes. She indicated that parents leaving teenage children at home without knowing what they might encounter needs to be addressed differently.
The young athlete was reportedly being recruited by major college football programs. His mother revealed that universities including Syracuse and Rutgers had already shown interest in having him join their football teams. Brooks’ head coach, James Tompkins, described him as the best running back in South Jersey in his class and noted that he had helped lead KIPP to their first playoff game in school history.
School officials remembered Brooks as a standout both academically and athletically. At KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, where he attended from fifth grade through high school, administrators described him as arriving with a smile that could light up a room, competitive spirit, and energy that brought joy to every hallway. The school characterized him as a committed student, loyal teammate, and encouraging friend whose talent and drive were evident to everyone who knew him.
Brooks was also active in community initiatives, having served as a spokesperson for No Crime Week. His aunt, Ada Banks, noted that he could be found front and center in YouTube videos promoting the anti-violence campaign.
A vigil was held at Wiggins Waterfront Park on Monday, June 9, where students, teachers, and teammates gathered to remember the teenager. His twin sister, who was a cheerleader, had been looking forward to being on the football field with him during the upcoming fall season. The head coach indicated that Brooks could not be replaced and that the team would take things one day at a time while honoring his memory.
The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances under which the firearm was discharged. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
KIPP High School did not hold regular classes on Monday, June 9, to allow students and staff time to grieve. Counseling resources and emotional support were made available across the school throughout the week. School administrators asked for privacy for Brooks’ family and the school community as they navigate the tragedy together.
The shooting occurred during National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the Camden community subsequently gathered to address gun violence issues. The county’s Board of Commissioners collaborated with New Jersey Moms Demand Action to organize an awareness event at the waterfront park.
Brooks’ funeral arrangements include a Celebration of Life service scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday at Doreen Boyd Legacy Hall in Camden, with viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. The family continues to mourn what they maintain was an accidental shooting involving teenagers who were unsupervised.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Joseph Fogg of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit at (856) 225-5063 or Detective Brandon Bolger of the Camden County Police Department at (609) 519-3981. Tips can also be submitted to CAMDEN.TIPS.
