USC basketball recruit Aaliyah Gayles shot at Las Vegas party
USC basketball recruit Aaliyah Gayles was shot multiple times at a Las Vegas-area house party last weekend, the school confirmed to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
Gayles was one of four people shot after a fight broke out inside the home in North Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Gayles, 18, underwent a pair of emergency surgeries on Sunday morning, per the report.
"Aaliyah is one of the strongest, most resilient young people I have ever known," USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said in a statement, via ESPN. "I have no doubt she will continue to face this unfathomable situation with courage and resolve. We will continue to support her and her parents in every way that we possibly can."
Gayles was one of four people hospitalized with survivable gunshot wounds, according to ESPN. Police have not yet made an arrest, and an investigation is ongoing.
Gayles, who is originally from the Los Angeles area, is a McDonald’s All-American out of Spring Valley High in Las Vegas. She initially committed to USC, and then re-committed after Gottlieb was hired. She is the No. 8 recruit in her class, according to ESPN.
“I know there is some that will say it’s my fault and I take full responsibility for it but please, please keep my baby girl in your prayers Las Vegas,” her father, Dwight, tweeted on Sunday. “I will give everyone that support Aaliyah an update but she’s OK she go make it like always. Thank you all, true warrior.”
I love you 3 just come back home to me baby girl I got you I promise 🤞🏾💔 pic.twitter.com/MMoL4vUdvw
— D.Gayles (@DGayles3) April 18, 2022
