Arthur “Buddy” Harrison, a popular boxing trainer in the Washington DC area, was shot to death Saturday morning on the city’s southeast side.
The 62-year-old man, best known for coaching his son and undefeated pro Dusty Hernandez Harrison, was found unconscious after being shot outside his home in the 2700 block of 30th Street SE, DC police say. He was later declared dead.
Police say they are looking for three men dressed in black and armed with handguns, and they were looking for a white Kia Optima with Ohio plates JAU 3816.
MPD is at the scene of a confirmed shooting in the 2700 block of 30th St SE. He watch for 3 BMs, dressed in black, all armed with guns. S-1 was last seen on foot traveling NB on 30th St SE. S2-S3 was last seen on foot traveling EB in the 2900 block of Erie St SE.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 24, 2022
Harrison, owner and manager of the Old School Boxing Gym in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, was a beloved figure in his community and regularly donated clothing and food to the homeless. He shared his story of serving ten years in prison for an armed robbery when he was 19 as a reminder to make better decisions and promoted better relations between youth and police officers by offering free boxing training to local officers.
His son, Hernandez Harrison, 28 (34-0-1, 20 KOs), is scheduled to fight James Ballard on October 1 on a card he is promoting in Washington, DC. Harrison had guided his son to 200 amateur fights. , 173 of which he had won.
Harrison-Hernandez’s promotional company, Beltway Battles, released a statement about the shooting, describing Harrison as a “known and respected member of the DC boxing family and a generous individual who constantly helped others in his community.”
Scott Sigmon, a professional from Virginia, remembered Harrison as “one of the greatest men in boxing.”
“He understood that boxing was not a museum for the perfect, but a place of healing for the broken. Buddy himself used the redemptive effects of boxing to change his life,” said Sigmon, who has boxed professionally since 2008.
Philadelphia coach Billy Briscoe remembers Harrison for his charitable nature and celebrated him for financing the gym himself to keep kids off the streets.
“He was a very good person who did not deserve to have to die like this. He will be greatly missed by all who know him,” Briscoe said.
