Father of Los Angeles Lakers' Ellington gunned down in Germantown

A 57-year-old man fatally shot in the city's Germantown section this weekend was identified Tuesday as the father of a player for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Police said no motive was known for why Wayne R. Ellington, of the 400 block of West Mount Airy Avenue, was shot inside a car Sunday night.

"My family and I are devastated by the news of my father's murder on Sunday night in Philadelphia," Wayne R. Ellington Jr. said in a statement.

"We appreciate everyone's support and ask that you respect the privacy of our family during this very difficult time. I encourage anyone with any information to come forward to help authorities solve this case," said the 26-year-old shooting guard, who was signed by the team in September.

Police responding to reports of gunfire found the elder Ellington about 8:05 p.m. in the driver's seat of a 2001 maroon Oldsmobile in the 5200 block of Marian Street. He had been shot in the left side of his head. Police took him to Einstein Medical Center, where he died later that night.

Mitch Kupchak, Lakers general manager, said on the team's website: "Our hearts go out to Wayne and his family, as do our thoughts and prayers."

Lakers coach Byron Scott said before Tuesday's game in Memphis: "This is our livelihood, but this is still just a game. This thing that's happened to Wayne is real life. It kind of puts everything in perspective."

The Lakers granted Ellington Jr. an indefinite leave of absence. He was a star player at Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square. After graduating in 2006, he played for the University of North Carolina.

He was named most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament's Final Four after the Tar Heels won the national championship in 2009. He played for four NBA teams before joining the Lakers.