A 16-year-old was shot and killed early Saturday inside his east Birmingham home.

Birmingham police said the victim, William Edwards, was in his bedroom when he was shot and killed by gunfire from outside the home.

An unknown person fired multiple rounds from outside the residence and into Edwards' room, police said.

At this time, police investigators don't believe the shooting was random.

Police have no suspect information.

Edwards was a junior at Woodlawn High School. He was the captain of the football team.

East Precinct police officers responded at 12:20 a.m. to the home at 331 80th Street North after notification from Shot Spotter, the city's gunfire detection system. Once on the scene, they found the Edwards inside the home unresponsive.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue also responded to the home and pronounced the boy dead.

Birmingham City Schools released this statement about the slaying:

"William Edwards was an 11th grade student at Woodlawn High School, and a member of the football team. Beginning Tuesday, and throughout the week, grief counselors will be available at the school to provide grief counseling and support for any students or staff in need."

Woodlawn High School football Coach Karl Powe said Edwards was the leader of the football team. "He will be deeply missed," he said.

"William was a great kid," Powe said in a Saturday morning interview with AL.com. "He was a very fun kid. He played hard."

He said Edwards was already being scouted and was considered a NCAA Division 1 football prospect. "He had that type of talent," Powe said.

Powe said Edwards didn't play in a home game against American Christian Academy on Friday night.

Edwards' mother wouldn't let him play in the game, he said, adding that he suspected it was because of a family emergency.

The coach said Edwards handed him his jersey when the team was loading the bus for Lawson Field, where the team's home games are played. Edwards told him he loved him, like he always did, Powe said.

Hours later, at around 2:30 a.m., Powe said Edwards' grandmother called to say the teenager was killed.

"Of course, after that all of my kids (players) started calling me," he said.

William is the 76th homicide in Birmingham in 2018. Of those, five have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not considered criminal by Birmingham police. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 108 homicides including the 76 in Birmingham.

"We will do everything we can to solve this and all other crimes in the city," police Chief Patrick Smith said in a statement. "It is always heartbreaking when senseless violence take away young precious lives. It impacts our communities, schools and students. Our hearts are with his family and friends. We will work endlessly to bring his violent killer to justice."

Friends and family will hold a balloon release in his memory at 4 p.m. Sunday at East Lake Park.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205 -254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

AL.com reporter Erin Edgemon contributed to this report.