The Birmingham high school sports community is in mourning following the tragic death of assistant football coach Demetrice Darnell “Meat” Beverly, 39, who was fatally shot Wednesday night in what police have described as a domestic incident.
Beverly was killed at the Lakeshore Ridge Apartments, where officers found him unresponsive in a bedroom after being shot multiple times.
Sadly, he was pronounced dead at 9:26 p.m.
A suspect, identified as De’Corlion Keshaun Robinson, 23, was taken into custody at the scene and now faces charges of murder and unlawful possession of a machine gun conversion device.
Community Mourns The Loss Of Demetrice Beverly
The loss has deeply shaken Beverly’s family, friends, and former players.
His father, Antonio Cook, said,
“He was a loving, caring father, brother, son, husband. Just a good, God-fearing guy.”
A graduate of Parker High School, Beverly excelled in both football and baseball before attending the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where he played football for four years.
His love for the sport never faded, leading him back to his alma mater in 2020 as an assistant coach.
Parker High Athletics shared in a tribute,
“Coach Beverly gave his all to the Thundering Herd, on the field and in the community. He was a mentor, husband, father, and friend whose impact will live on through the countless lives he touched.”
Before returning to Parker, Beverly also coached at Carver High School.
Despite career setbacks, his dedication to coaching never wavered, and his efforts helped Parker achieve its first-ever state championship in 2024, a moment his father said he cherished deeply.
Football Was Demetrice Beverly’s First Priority
Beverly was also a dedicated healthcare worker, serving as an overnight manager in the pediatric psychiatric unit at Children’s of Alabama.
His tireless work ethic extended into football, with colleagues recalling how he would finish night shifts and still be the first at practice, bringing energy and motivation to his players.
Parker head coach Frank Warren, who had known Beverly for years, said breaking the news of his death to the team was one of the hardest moments of his career.
Warren said,
“I didn’t just lose a coach. I lost a friend. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He brought the best out of these kids every single day.”
Beverly leaves behind his wife, twin daughters who live in Arkansas, and a 6-year-old daughter he shared with his wife.
His death comes just one week before the Stop the Violence Classic, an annual game between Parker High School and Ramsay High School aimed at promoting safer communities.
The tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the very issue the event seeks to address.
The Birmingham Police Department continues to investigate, urging anyone with information to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
