It was a piece of news that no one wanted to hear, a young life lost to gunfire at a local park.

Aiden Toussaint was shot last Tuesday near Saucon Park in Bethlehem. He died from his wounds, leaving a family to grieve and a school and community to mourn.

Toussaint had wrestled at Whitehall since his freshman year. He was part of a team that finished 11-6 last year, and would have been among a strong group of returning grapplers this season.

Head coach Tim Cunningham said that Toussaint was someone who lived those core values he espoused at the start of last season. They were rooted in integrity and would build from that point.

“Aiden was a very friendly, respectful and polite individual,” said Cunningham. “As a wrestler he always gave his best and would do anything for his fellow teammates. This is the Aiden I know and will always remember.”

In the dual meet against Dieruff last December, Toussaint showed some of that resolve that was essential to their core philosophy. He fell behind to Grimaldi Gonzalez, overcoming back points to take a 11-10 lead into the final period. He worked and worked until he clamped the Husky, getting the fall in 4:58.

Kai Clark, Toussaint’s teammate for three seasons, has set up a GoFundMe page for his friend and fellow wrestler.