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'He always wanted people to be happy': High school rugby player remembered as 'everyone's friend'

Cherokee Trail High School senior Lloyd Chavez was shot and killed outside his Centennial home.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A Cherokee Trail High School senior who was shot and killed Wednesday night outside his Centennial home was a "special person" who always "tried to get better."

Those are the words of Dave Farmer who coached Lloyd Chavez since he was 10 years old.

Chavez was shot just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday near 21500 E. Powers Lane, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

He was known around school as a skilled rugby player. He played four years for the Aurora Saracens youth rugby team. 

Credit: Gary Bowden
Lloyd Chavez

“[Lloyd] always worked hard. He always tried to get better,” Farmer said. “But the greatest compliment in my world is he always wanted people to be happy and he worked to make sure everyone was having a good time and everyone was working hard and everyone felt included in the group.”

Farmer said Chavez was a fierce competitor, but when the game ended, he was everyone’s friend.

“The world needs more people like him,” Farmer said. “I’m sorry he’s gone. I hope there’s going to be a few babies born today that can start to replace people like Lloyd, but he was a special person.”

Chavez was son to Lloyd Chavez III. The elder Chavez was hailed a hero April 25 when he helped rescue drivers injured in a fiery crash on I-70. Four people were killed.

Chavez told 9NEWS his son was shot outside their home Wednesday but found the strength to walk inside and ask his family to call 911. He credits his daughter for doing all she could to help her brother.

RELATED: How a Marine and a college student helped save a woman's life during the fiery I-70 wreck

Lloyd Chavez was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Farmer said a memorial for Lloyd Chavez is being planned for May 18. He said he expected many from the rugby community to attend.

In the letter sent home to students’ parents, principal Jean Incitti asked them to be mindful of their children's behavior and use of technology.

"There is no right or wrong way to cope with death, but there are some things that adults can do to help children work through this difficult time,” the letter read.

Here are resources to help students cope:

While the shooting did involve at least one student at Cherokee Trail High School, the Sheriff's Office said it determined that the incident was not school-related.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for second-degree murder, the sheriff's office said Friday morning. Investigators said there's no threat to the public and they're not looking for any other suspects.

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