Ashley Griggs, the mother of Ohio State freshman wide receiver Carnell Tate, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago this weekend.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Sunday that Griggs was the woman killed in a shooting in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago early Sunday morning, according to multiple reports. Per ABC 7 Chicago, four other people were also injured in the shooting, though all of them are in fair condition. A suspect has not yet been identified, but one of the victims told police that the shooter was in a car when they opened fire.
Griggs was heavily involved in the recruiting process with her son, who grew up in Chicago although he played his final two years of high school football at IMG Academy in Florida.
As the news of his mother’s passing began to surface on Sunday, Tate received messages of support from throughout Buckeye Nation and the college football world.
The 7-on-7 team he played for in high school, South Florida Express, paid tribute to Griggs in a social media post.
About 2 years ago when you 2 became apart of the SFE family, we had no idea how close we would all become, today our heart skips a beat and we shed many tears hearing the tragic news. We love you both and will keep you in our hearts and will always be here for your family AG pic.twitter.com/w0oOkEJAkK
— SFE (@SouthFLExpress) July 16, 2023
Fellow Ohio State freshman wide receiver and SFE alumnus Brandon Inniss, 2025 Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair and Ohio State walk-on wide receiver Nolan Baudo – who grew up with Tate in Chicago and played with Tate at Marist High School before his transfer to IMG Academy – were among those who publicly shared their support for Tate.
My brudda manfor life!! pic.twitter.com/zVW1GfivST
— Brandon Inniss (@Brandon1inniss) July 16, 2023
Praying for you @carnelltate_ much love to you bro https://t.co/uoD1e1uwsC
— Tavien St. Clair (@TJSaint_1) July 16, 2023
Family over everything. pic.twitter.com/U9ReokMt8W
— Nolan Baudo (@nolanbaudo) July 16, 2023
The All-American Bowl also tweeted support for its participant in last year’s game, as did several other recruits who know Tate from his high school days.
The All-American Bowl extends our deepest condolences to Carnell Tate and his family during these difficult times.
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) July 16, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/a1n3J49m2U
Praying for you and your family brudda love you!! @carnelltate_ https://t.co/Iw1fhiAOvD
— Winston winnie Watkins Jr (@winstonwatkins_) July 16, 2023
Hey brother you dont know me but I heard about the loss of your amazing mother. So I will be sending my prayers for you. And I know you will make her proud. Youre a buckeye so you know you got my respect and with that comes backing from the buckeye state and all of its people! pic.twitter.com/SmfyiAOSNO
— Tayvion Galloway (@TayvionGalloway) July 17, 2023
I want to send prayers to @carnelltate_ and his family from my family!!#WEARE
— Donovan 7D9 Harbour (@donovan_harbour) July 17, 2023
