A 15-year-old high school football player was killed as he shielded three girls from gunfire as several men went on a shooting spree in Tennessee on Thursday night.

Zaevion Dobson was hanging out on a porch with his brother and some friends when a group of men walked up and started shooting at them, Zach Dobson said.

Police said the shooters, who they believe may have been gang-affiliated, picked a group at random who were 'just hanging out and trying to celebrate the holidays'.

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Fulton High School football player Zaevion Dobson, 15, lost his life Thursday night while trying to protect three girls from gunfire in their Knoxville, Tennessee neighborhood

Police said the shooters, who they believe may have been gang-affiliated, picked a group at random who were 'just hanging out and trying to celebrate the holidays'

'Why would you shoot random bystanders for nothing?' Zach Dobson told WBIR-TV.

'We were just sitting there chilling. Zae, he was an awesome kid, awesome brother.'

Zaevion was described by his football coach as 'a natural born leader, who led others by example'

The shootings first began around 7pm, when multiple rounds were fired into a Knoxville home and struck resident Lisa Perry, 46, in the lower back. She is expected to survive.

A 10-year-old child was also inside the home but was not hit, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Perry's 23-year-old son, Brandon Perry, and several other men then drove to the neighborhood where Dobson lived and 'randomly fired multiple times', according to Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch.

The girls shielded by Dobson were not hurt, he said.

Brandon Perry died early Friday morning, after he crashed a BMW into an apartment where an 'elderly resident' was sleeping inside and not injured by the accident.

Police believe Perry was shot before the crash.

Two men fled the wrecked car but were caught by police and questioned. One has since been released.

Christopher Bassett, 20, has been charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and violation of probation. He is being held without bond.

Rausch said investigators think the shootings are gang-related, but he said there didn't appear to be a motive to target Dobson.

'These cowardly and senseless acts of violence must stop,' he said.

'We should be preparing to celebrate the Christmas holiday, but now we have two men who are dead.'

Dobson was a sophomore at Fulton High School in northern Knoxville. The school brought in counselors to speak to students taking makeup tests Friday morning.

Police said the shootings began on Thursday when shots were fired into a home and struck resident Lisa Perry, 46, in the back. Her son Brandon later crashed a BMW into a home (pictured) after he himself was shot

Zack Dobson lights candles to honor his slaim brother during a vigil at Sam E. Hill Park on Friday

'He was really one of our success stories,' said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. 'Involved in sports, a mentee of one of our organizations in town. But still he falls victim to this.'

Zack Dobson said football was his brother's life.

Two men, including Christopher Bassett, fled the crashed car. Bassett faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and violation of probation

'That's what he did. He came from school, did his homework, watched film, watched documentaries of it, players,' Zack told WVLT.

'That's what he loved - football.'

Zack said he will honor his brother by going to Oregon, the college Zae wanted him to attend.

Fulton High School football coach Rob Black organized a team meeting Friday morning for teammates to grieve and receive support.

Black said a large majority of the team showed up to the meeting and many are hurting. he called Dobson a 'fine, fine young man.'

'Only a sophomore, but a very contagious young man who was very liked by his peers and his teachers,' Black said.

'Going to be a tough time as we leave from here and go meet with our football players.'

Black described Zae as a natural born leader, who led others by example.

He said that after the meeting, team members gathered around Zae's locker to remember him.

He said the team is like a family and that it felt like they lost a brother.

'All I can do is sit in this bed where he laid his head every night,' Zack tweeted about his brother.

'Life not gonna be the same without you. Come back bruh.'

Fulton High School football coach Rob Black said Zae, who wore jersey number 24 on the team, was a 'very liked by his peers and his teachers'

Attendees raise their candles to celebrate Zae's life. Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said the young man was one of the town's 'success stories'