A TEEN football player was killed in a late New Year’s Eve shooting as his family waited at home for him to return.

Loved ones later gathered at the beach, saying they never expected the night to end with a call from the hospital.

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, was rocked by gunfire shortly before midnight on Wednesday, December 31, police said.

Officers were sent to the beachfront area around 11.30 pm after reports of a shooting.

Police found a juvenile male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers gave first aid at the scene before the teen was rushed to Broward General Medical Center.

He later died from his injuries.

Loved ones who went to the scene identified the teen as Joshua Gipson Jr, 17, according to WPLG.

A family friend said Gipson hoped to attend Virginia Tech next year.

“I feel like I lost a child, and that’s not even my child,” the woman told WPLG.

“That’s my best friend’s child, which you know I’ve grown to love him and know him.”

One witness told WPLG that two people were shooting at each other nearby and the teen appeared not to be involved, but was hit in the crossfire.

Family members said they rushed to the hospital after hearing he had been shot.

At first, they believed he would be OK, but he did not survive.

“He was a good boy, good person, a good big brother, loving, caring, everything. Literally he’s like a ball of sunshine,” the family friend said.

She said Gipson went out with friends while his family watched a virtual church sermon at home and picked up food to have waiting for him.

Police said detectives believe the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

The FPLD did not immediately respond to The US Sun’s request for comment.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.