A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the community in Philadelphia. A 17-year-old basketball star, Noah Scurry, who had a bright future ahead of him, was tragically shot and killed on Tuesday morning. Noah was not just a talented athlete but also one of the brightest students in his class, holding the highest SAT score among his peers. He was set to graduate from Samuel Fels High School in Feltonville this year.
The incident happened just as Noah was leaving his home on Rorer Street with his mother to head to school. It was around 7:15 a.m. when someone opened fire on him while he was getting into his mom’s car, according to police and his family. Noah was rushed to a nearby hospital but, tragically, did not survive. The shooter is still at large, and the community is left grieving and searching for answers.
Monique Braxton, a spokesperson for the School District of Philadelphia, expressed the deep loss felt by everyone who knew Noah. “He probably would’ve had offers to play basketball at colleges across the country,” she said. “It’s just a life senselessly cut short.”
Noah was not just a star on the basketball court but also an inspiration in the classroom. His cousin, Breanna McGlynn, shared on a GoFundMe page set up to support Noah’s mother and grandmother that he had an incredible mind and an infectious smile. “He had such a clever mind,” she wrote. “His love for basketball was always with him, ever since he was a young kid. He was playing on the school’s basketball team and was being scouted by colleges.”
The Samuel Fels basketball team had been having an incredible season, with Noah leading the charge as the team’s top scorer. Local media covering the sport described their 2024-2025 season as stellar. But now, the team and school are in mourning, canceling a game scheduled for this week in Noah’s honor.
Students and teachers at the school are devastated. “The principal, coach, players, classmates, and peers are distraught,” said Braxton. “This is unimaginable for them. This student was about to graduate.”
Noah was more than just an athlete; he was a kind and uplifting person who had a positive impact on everyone around him. “When you saw him around, you know, he brought good energy to everybody,” said Taitiana Jasinski, a sophomore. Another student, Mohammed El-Faki, described Noah as someone who always lit up the room. “Whenever he entered a room, the room always lit up. It was always a smile on someone’s face when he was anywhere around them.”
The loss of Noah has left his school and community heartbroken. “The whole school seemed upset,” El-Faki shared. “I saw people crying. It was just traumatic.”
As the investigation continues, family, friends, and the wider community are left grappling with the senseless loss of a young man who had so much promise and potential.
