A Tennessee high school sophomore was killed in a shooting spree Thursday in Knoxville, Tenn., police said Friday.

Zaevion William Dobson, 15, died shielding three women from a random outburst of gunfire. The women survived the incident unhurt because of Dobson’s heroism.

Police believe the shootings in northern Knoxville were random shootings possibly spurred by gang-related activity, possibly in the response to a shooting in the neighborhood the shooters were from. A police spokesman said the accused shooter was found shot after he crashed a car into an apartment.

A police spokesman told the Associated Press there appeared to be no motive for shooting Dobson, he was simply caught in the crossfire in an apparently random act of violence. He sacrificed himself to save others.

“These cowardly and senseless acts of violence must stop,” Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said. “We should be preparing to celebrate the Christmas holiday, but now we have two men who are dead.”

The community in Fulton High School was mourning the loss of the sophomore wide receiver, who was really much more. Knoxville mayor, Madeline Rogero, said he was one of the city’s success stories and a mentor throughout the community. His football coach called him a “fine, fine young man.”