A former star athlete at Proviso East High School was fatally shot in west suburban Maywood overnight.

Police said DeShawn McCarthy was shot 11 p.m. Wednesday while riding in a car with friends near 4th Avenue and Fillmore Street in west suburban Maywood.

Witnesses say they heard about seven or eight shots. One of the bullets struck McCarthy in the head.

McCarthy was on the football, basketball and track teams at Proviso East before graduating last year.

“He was just a great person,” said childhood friend Ryan Jones. “If he had a dollar, he’s split it with you, a kind person.”

He had just finished his freshman year at Dakota College in Bottineau, North Dakota, and was back home for summer break