NBA superstar rocked by shooting death of 'adopted brother'

Cliff Dixon, who Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant refers to as his ‘adopted brother’, has been shot and killed in Atlanta.

Dixon was killed outside an area strip mall on Thursday, per a report by Fox 5 Atlanta.

He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where he later died, according to an early report by Fox 5.

The Louisville Courier-Journal, citing police, reported that Dixon had just arrived when he was shot multiple times in the parking lot. It’s approximately 15 miles outside of Atlanta.

Kevin Durant’s mother, Wanda, expressed her family’s condolences and called his death “an incredible loss” via Twitter:

Police told the station the suspect escaped on foot and a K9 was brought in to trace the gunman’s scent.

Per the police, nearby security cameras are not working and they have had trouble getting “credible information from witnesses at the scene.”

Dixon was celebrating his 32nd birthday at S.L. Lounge nightclub, per BET. He advertised the party on his Instagram account.

‘You brighten my day up’

Dixon and Durant have been friends since they were teenagers and played at Suitland High School in Maryland.

Durant acknowledged his friend after being named Most Valuable Player for the 2013-14 season.

He said at the time, per the Mercury News:

“You keep me every day. There are days I come home upset after a game or a practice and you just brighten my day up. I thank you guys. I wouldn’t be here without you guys. This is our trophy, too.”

Dixon played college basketball at Western Kentucky University after transferring in from a junior college, per the Courier Journal.

Over two seasons he played in 55 games and started seven. He was dismissed for violating team rules.

He’s also known for previously dating “Love & Hip Hop” star Erica Mena, per TMZ Sports.

Cassandra Negley – Yahoo Sports