Julie Ball

jball@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE - The Erwin community is mourning the loss of a former Erwin High football player who was killed in Nairobi, Kenya.

“This is devastating news to our school community,” Erwin High Principal Jim Brown said.

Brown said he was told former Erwin High student Cameron Huntley was shot during an apparent robbery attempt.

“The story I heard was that he jumped in front of the robber to keep his girlfriend from being injured,” Brown said Wednesday.

The U.S. State Department would only confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in Nairobi, Kenya, and provided no details.

Huntley was a graduate of Clemson University. He is the son of Kim and Kevin Huntley. Kim Huntley is a longtime teacher in the Erwin district. She is retiring this year from Erwin Middle School.

“I think they (family members) are in shock,” said Raelene Goforth, a teacher at Erwin Middle who spent Wednesday with the family. “I don’t think it’s hit them yet.”

Huntley, 26, had been living in Nairobi. He was teaching English, writing and doing some mission work there, according to Goforth.

Huntley’s mom last spoke to him via FaceTime on Saturday. She got a call from his roommate Wednesday morning while she was at school.

Erwin Middle School Principal Chris Thompson notified school staff of the death.

“He (Huntley) lost his life saving another,” Thompson said in the message to staff. “The American Embassy has been in touch with the family, and the details are still being sorted out.”

The school is collecting money for the family, and a fund has also been set up through Eblen Charities. The family must pay the cost of bringing Huntley's body back to the United States.

“We know this is a very, very difficult time for Kim, and as a school family we will do anything we can to support her. We will keep you posted with any updates that the family provides. Let’s pull together and support her in any way possible,” Thompson said in the message.

Chris Brookshire, former Erwin High football coach, described Huntley as a “great kid” who was well liked and “super intelligent.”

Huntley was the starting center on the Erwin football team.

“Coaches loved him. We just knew he was going to do great things in this world, and he had a real passion to help others,” Brookshire said.

Brookshire said he also heard Huntley was trying to protect his girlfriend during a robbery attempt.

Those who knew Huntley say that was just like him.

“It’s just a huge loss, devastating,” Brookshire said.

Brown called Huntley a leader.

“He was respected among his peers. He was that strong silent type. Very, very intelligent,” he said.

Goforth said Huntley was someone who loved life and loved to try new things.

“One of the things he told his mom was he felt very safe there. He said, 'I feel as safe there as I do in the United States,'” Goforth said.