Australian Christopher Lane killed in drive-by shooting while jogging in Oklahoma

Updated

Sorry, this video has expired Video: North America correspondent Michael Vincent reports on the shooting (ABC News)

The father of a Melbourne baseballer who was shot dead while jogging in Oklahoma says his son was a "talented, intelligent kid" whose life was brought to a "senseless" end.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Peter and Donna Lane address the media in Melbourne (ABC News)

Christopher Lane, 22, was jogging in the small town of Duncan on Friday when he was shot in the back in a drive-by.

Police have arrested three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17.

They will be charged with first-degree murder and could potentially face the death penalty.

Lane was on a baseball scholarship at East Central University and was reportedly two weeks away from celebrating his 23rd birthday.

He had just returned to the US from a trip back to Australia with his girlfriend Sarah, and was believed to have only been staying at her residence for about three days before the incident.

Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford said the shooting appears to have been a random, unprovoked attack and he had not seen anything like it in 30 years of law enforcement.

"He apparently was jogging, he went by a residence where these three boys were, they picked him as a target, they went out and got in a vehicle and followed him," Chief Ford told the ABC's AM program.

"[They] came up from behind and basically shot him in the back with a small calibre weapon. Then sped away."

Chief Ford said the murder weapon was yet to be recovered but was believed to be of low-calibre and likely to have been stolen.

Lane's parents Peter and Donna addressed the media this morning at Essendon Baseball Club in Melbourne, where their son had been a member before heading to the US.

"There's not going to be any good come out of this, because it was just so senseless," Mr Lane said.

"He was an athlete going for a jog like he would five or six days a week in terms of his training schedule.

"It's happened, it's wrong and we just try and deal with it the best way we can."

Mr Lane said his son was "a normal kid" who "gave up a lot to follow his dream".

"He was an intelligent kid and he made good life choices," Mr Lane said.

"He caused us some grief, caused us so much joy.

"He was just a kid on the cusp of making his life.

"He had a good life... why it was taken away is so pointless."

Choking back tears, Mrs Lane added: "We're all lucky that he was here for that period of time."

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said the murder was an "absolute tragedy".

"This is an absolute tragedy, for a young man to be murdered at the prime of his life when he's on the verge of a great career in his chosen sport of baseball," he said.

"Our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and all in the Victorian baseball community who'll be suffering at the moment."

Federal Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten has passed on the Government's sympathies to the Lane family.

"Clearly he was an athlete of some great potential winning a prestigious scholarship to the United States," he said.

"What has happened is a complete tragedy, a complete senseless waste of life and I extend my condolences and sympathy to his family and friends."

'A truly talented and highly respected young man'

Essendon Baseball Club said in a statement published on its website that it was saddened by the loss of a "truly talented young man".

"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 also played at the Watsonia Baseball Club, which says many of its members are overwhelmed by the news.

"Chris had been at the baseball club for since he was eight or nine. [He was a] fantastic young man," spokesman Tim Frost said.

"Obviously very talented. But just really well liked by everyone. He was a fantastic, fantastic person.

"The whole club was in disbelief on Saturday when we found out. We just couldn't believe it."

Mr Frost said the club would plan a memorial for Lane.

Topics: law-crime-and-justice, crime, murder-and-manslaughter, essendon-3040, united-states, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

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