Three teenage boys have been arrested after an alleged killing spree in which Lane was randomly targeted

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

A young Australian man studying in the US on a sporting scholarship was shot dead on the weekend, allegedly in a random drive-by attack by three teenage boys.

Chris Lane, attending Oklahoma’s East Central University on a baseball scholarship, was out for a jog in the small town of Duncan on Friday afternoon when the three boys, aged 15,16 and 17, allegedly spotted him, drove up from behind and shot him before driving off.

Witnesses came to the 22-year-old’s aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived but Lane was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital around an hour later.

The chief of the Duncan police department, Danny Ford, told Australian Associated Press the attack was completely random, and Lane was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"I can assure you, he had no idea who these boys were," he said.

"He’s a victim of opportunity, I’m sorry to say that. Somebody would have died that day, somebody mowing their yard, these boys had made up their mind.

"I know everybody thinks there has to be a reason, but I've been in this business for 30 years and there doesn't have to be a reason with these kids," the chief said.

Lane’s father, Peter, told media on Monday morning that Lane was a normal kid who “left his mark”.

“There’s not going to be any good to come out of this, because it was just so senseless,” he said.

“There wasn’t anything he could have done. It’s happened, it’s wrong, and we’ll just try and deal with it the best we can.

“His mum - a sensational mother - [and I] we’re very proud of what we achieved and the people we developed in our kids.

“It is pointless, and to try and understand it is a sure way to insanity. Somebody we all love so much is not going to come home. You can’t change the circumstances, you can’t change history.”

Ford said that after they shot Lane the accused killers then drove to another house to murder someone else – unrelated to the Australian – but a concerned parent called police saying "several juveniles are coming over to kill their son", said Ford.

Police arrived at the house and found the three teenagers in a car fitting the description of that seen when Lane was murdered. The boys were arrested, one allegedly confessing to Lane’s murder.

"They wanted to be Billy Bob Badasses," Chief Ford said.

"I think they were on a killing spree. We would have had more bodies that night if we didn't get them."

On one of the alleged killer's Facebook pages investigators said they found the message: "Bang. Two drops in two hours."

The three boys are reportedly in custody in Stephens County jail. It’s expected they will be formally charged on Monday (US time), according to the Herald Sun.

Lane, from Melbourne’s Oak Park, and his US girlfriend, Sarah Harper, had only been back in the US for three days after visiting family in Australia.

Dr Jeff Williams, athletics director at Lane's college, said the East Central University was very saddened to hear about the tragedy.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lane family and friends. We will do everything possible to support his family and teammates during this sad time."

The Essendon baseball club in Victoria said it was “deeply saddened” by Lane’s death.

“Chris was a truly talented and highly respected young man whose friendship was valued by all who had the good fortune to know him. His loss is felt by each and every member of the Essendon family and our thoughts and prayers are with the Lane family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Lane’s body is expected to be flown back to Australia later this week.