Family: OKC Homicide Victim Had Dream Of Being NBA Player

Friends and family say Anthony Hartfield Jr. loved spending time on the basketball court. His family says he was never in any trouble, and had dreams of one day making it big.

Monday, January 14th 2013, 7:37 pm

By: News 9


Police have identified the young man shot and killed in northeast Oklahoma City as 20-year-old Anthony Hartfield, Jr. His friends and family simply knew him as "Junior."

1/14/2013 Related Story: Resident Shot To Death During Home Invasion In NE OKC

Friends and family have been coming by the house all day long to pay their respects. They still can't believe this happened.

"He was a good kid, a great kid," said his uncle Nathan Hartfield. "He wasn't into drugs, wasn't part of no gang, just a good kid."

Friends and family say Hartfield Jr. loved spending time on the basketball court. His family says he was never in any trouble, and had dreams of one day making it big.

"He wanted to be in the NBA," said Nathan Hartfield. "He said ‘keep praying with me, keep encouraging me,' and I told him just keep your eyes on God. Always remember God first."

That was the last conversation his uncle would have with Hartfield. Hartfield was found dead inside this home overnight. A home he and his father had just moved into two weeks ago.

"He was a good person, "said his cousin Shacole Carson, who lives right across the street. "He didn't hurt anybody, he wasn't the type that liked drama."

Police originally were called out here on what they thought was a burglary in progress, only to be called again saying someone had been shot.

"People out there, they want to take other people's lives because they want something somebody else has," said Nathan Hartfield. "I feel like if you want what that person has, you ought to get out there and work!"

Now, Hartfield's family is struggling with planning his funeral, while police search for the people responsible.

"I just hope they catch the perpetrator who did this," Nathan said.

Right now, police don't have a description of the people responsible. We do know Hartfield's father was inside the house along with his girlfriend and her kids. They were actually asleep when the break-in and shooting took place, but were not hurt.

Police are still looking for the person or persons responsible. Please call the Oklahoma City police homicide tip line at (405)-297-1200.

This marks Oklahoma City's second homicide of the year.

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