As a private Division II institution, most of Clark Atlanta’s athletes are not on full scholarship. Some athletes receive partial athletic scholarships that cover tuition only, but most rely on financial aid to pay tuition, room and board.

Officers say the man was waiting outside for them when they arrived.

Brittain’s mom, Nyyokokie Hendley, 39, was shot and killed in October by her boyfriend DeRon Gude, DeKalb County police said.

Gude, 40, called 911, waited for police and told them Hendley had been shot in the face after the two fought over a gun.

But the medical examiner’s office found Hendley had been shot from more than three feet away.

“It was so sudden,” Brittain said. “To wake up and find out your mother was shot in the head is traumatizing. You really don’t know how to feel. You’re numb.”

Gude remains in the DeKalb County jail on a murder charge.

DeRon Gude (Photo courtesy of DeKalb County jail)

“I just want to finish school in memory of my mom,” Brittain said. “The scholarship from my university would be a big help to achieve the goals she instilled in me as a little boy.”