Tragedy at Sage Park: Former Basketball Star Francisca Crage Killed During Pickup Game
MOBILE, AL — The sun was setting over Sage Park on what should’ve been a normal evening of community basketball—a space filled with laughter, sneakers squeaking on pavement, and local players reliving their glory days. But in a moment of senseless violence, everything changed. Francisca Crage, a beloved former basketball standout from Vigor High School (Class of 2015) and Coastal Alabama Community College, was gunned down mid-play.
She was dribbling. Focused. Determined. Doing what she loved. And then—a gunshot.
Witnesses say the sound sliced through the court like a blade. There were no arguments, no altercations, no warning signs. Just the sharp crack of a bullet and the heartbreaking sight of Francisca falling to the ground. Chaos erupted. People ran. Others froze in place, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
“I thought someone lit a firecracker,” said one onlooker. “Then I saw her drop. And we all knew… this wasn’t an accident.”
Despite desperate attempts to render aid, Francisca Crage was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrived within minutes and quickly cordoned off the area. But by then, the shooter had vanished. As of now, there are no suspects in custody. Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance footage and urging anyone with information to come forward. Flyers have gone up around the area. Silent tears are turning into calls for justice.
Who Was Francisca Crage?
To many in Mobile, Francisca wasn’t just a talented athlete—she was a mentor, a motivator, and a beacon of promise. At Vigor High School, she dominated the court with heart and hustle, leading her team to regional recognition. After graduation, she took her talents to Coastal Alabama Community College, where she continued to impress as a forward known for her gritty defense and calm leadership.
“She was the kind of player you build a team around,” said one of her former coaches. “But more than that—she was a leader, a light. She had the heart of a champion and the soul of someone who cared.”
After college, Francisca remained active in the community—volunteering at youth camps, mentoring young athletes, and still showing up to local courts like Sage Park just to play. Just to feel the rhythm of the game.
A Community in Grief
As the investigation unfolds, the city mourns a woman whose life was stolen far too soon. A makeshift memorial has sprung up at Sage Park, where friends, family, and former teammates leave flowers, candles, and handwritten notes.
“Rest easy, Fran,” one message read. “We’ll finish the game for you.”
Local leaders have condemned the violence and are calling for increased security measures at public spaces like Sage Park. But deeper than policy is the heartache—the raw emotional wound left in the wake of Francisca’s death.
“She represented everything good about this city,” said longtime family friend Lisa Montgomery. “Hardworking, joyful, kind. And now she’s gone, and we don’t even know why.”
Justice Must Follow
Authorities have vowed to pursue every lead, no matter how small. Mobile Police have asked anyone who may have been recording or live-streaming at the park that evening to share footage. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Mobile’s Crime Stoppers hotline.
For now, her loved ones are left with memories—of the girl who lit up the scoreboard, who encouraged the shyest kid to take the shot, who chased her dreams without apology.
Francisca Crage died doing what she loved. But she should still be here—playing, laughing, leading.
To those who knew her, she was more than an athlete. She was a sister, a daughter, a teammate, a friend.
And to the person who pulled that trigger: you didn’t just end a life. You stole a future.
Rest in power, Francisca. Your game lives on in every heartbeat of this city. 🕊️
👉 Anyone with information is urged to contact Mobile Police or Crime Stoppers at (251) 208-7211. Let’s bring justice to her name.