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Jules Vasquez has the story:

Fireman and accomplished basketball player, 30 year old Geovanni Lennan lay dead on Welch Street last night, all the life suddenly sapped from long, powerful limbs that once blocked shots. Shot jumpers, led fireman and manned firehoses.

Ty Bradley, Co-worker
"We took that hard because that was one of our brethren, co-workers and ballers. To tell the truth I didn't even sleep last night. I got up and couldn't sleep. We took that real bad."

At 7:18 last night, Lennan was walking out of his girlfriend's house on Welch Street when a waiting gunman fired multiple shots - killing him instantly.

Police responded immediately:

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"We understand that a police officer was in the immediate area. He heard a gunshot and he proceeded to that location and as he was approaching that area, he saw a male person running from the scene with a firearm on his hand. He ordered the male person to stop; however, the person raised his hand and pointed a firearm at his direction. As a result, the police pulled out his serviced firearm and fired a shot at the male person who thereafter ran through some houses, through a construction site and then jumped into the Roger's Stadium where he was later caught by police officers."

That suspect is an 18 year old well known to police - and is gang affiliated:

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"Yes he is known to us. I know that he was dealt with previously for also a shooting that happened by Youth for the Future Drive. I know that those charges were withdrawn from him."

Reporter
"Do you all expect to charge him for murder by the weekend?"

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"We are working on the case and I believe yes by tomorrow morning he will be charged."

Reporter
"How is it that the police were unable to retrieve the murder weapon? All things considered you guys responded with lightening quickness, but that is one missing piece."

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"Last night we did a thorough search of the area; however, we were unsuccessful in finding the firearm. I know that police officers were there early this morning and are still trying to canvass the area to see if we can locate the firearm from there."

And while a teenager will be charged - it does nothing to make any sense of this: a working man and a known athlete gunned down like a gangster.

Ty Bradley, Co-worker
"He is a cool guy. He is not no one who gives trouble and is not known to the law to give trouble or anything like that. He is a cool guy who comes to work, play ball just like me - work to home."

And today a black bow hung prominently above the fire station - while firemen got counseling:

Ty Bradley, Co-worker
"He is a hard baller and a hard worker and one of the best fireman who is here right now. Presently he was up for a promotional post. He was a good guy and an excellent baller. All the ballers know that he was one of the best ballers in the league too."

Collin Gillett, Fire Chief
"It hit me very hard, because we were out here talking to him the very evening, because we are starting a volunteer program and he is one of the trainers for the volunteers. So we were joking about how we can't take it too easy on them, rough them up so that they understand what it takes to be a fire fighter and because he is so physical and so towering, that the volunteers really look up to him."

Reporter
"Asking it in the plainest way that anyone would, why did they kill the man?"

Collin Gillett, Fire Chief
"I have no idea. We are still in shock. We actually had a counselling session for our fire fighters here this morning through the ministry."

Lennan - who was about to be promoted to the post of leading firefighter - gave no indication that he was under any kind of threat. Reporter
"Was there any indication that this was a troubled man or a man who may have been facing some type of threat?"

Collin Gillett, Fire Chief
"No. From what I know of him and every day you see him he is always ' hi chief, hows it going?.' He was very soft spoken, but there was never any signs of any trouble for us."

And, now they can only lament the street execution of another athlete and blameless victim:

Ty Bradley, Co-worker
"Man, I am just saying that we need to try our ways, try deal with it different, you know. Good and honest people are dying, young black youths like myself and its rough."

We'll let you know the identity of the suspect when he is charged.

As for Lennan, the National Fire Service says he will receive an Honorary Firefighter's Farewell and to honor his memory flags will be flown at half- staff for 30 days.

A press release from the fire Service says, quote, " As a firefighter, he was one of our best…As a person, he was a gentle giant. Soft spoken, always courteous, and always willing." He had been a fireman for 7 years.