Kevin Durant’s ‘Adopted Brother’ Shot And Killed Outside Of His Birthday Party At Georgia Nightclub

A man described as a close friend and “adopted brother” of NBA star Kevin Durant was shot and killed outside a Georgia nightclub this week before he could even make it inside.

Clifford Dixon, 32, had just arrived at the SL Lounge when an unidentified gunman shot him several times as he stood in the venue’s parking lot just after 1 a.m., the Chamblee Police Department said. Paramedics responded to the scene and rushed Dixon to Grady Memorial Hospital, where medical staff confirmed that he’d died from his wounds, according to police.

Dixon was at the venue that night to celebrate his birthday. Police have not yet apprehended the shooter, who they say fled the scene on foot after gunning Dixon down, Fox 5 Atlanta reports. Authorities are hoping that surveillance footage will help them identify the shooter, but they said it will be a difficult task because a number of the security cameras set up at the Little Saigon strip mall, the scene of the shooting, are not functional, according to the outlet.

Dixon shared a post on social media about his birthday celebration before he was killed.

Dixon, a former college basketball player himself who played internationally, was reportedly close with NBA player Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors. Durant’s mother, Wanda Durant, took Dixon into the family when he was 16 years old, according to The Oklahoman. Police said that Durant referred to Dixon as his “adopted brother," the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Durant has not commented publicly on Dixon’s death yet, but prior to the Golden State Warrior’s game against the Pacer’s on Thursday night, coach Steve Kerr remarked that Durant would likely be “playing with a heavy heart,” the New York Post reports. The Warriors won the game, 112-89.

Durant’s mother took to social media Thursday to share her condolences in the wake of Dixon’s passing.

“The Durant family extends our deepest condolences & prayers to Cliff’s mother, siblings, family & friends,” she wrote on Twitter. “Our family was an extension of his & we shared wonderful memories. His transition is an incredible loss for all of us who loved him, he will be missed dearly.”

Dixon was previously in a relationship with “Love & Hip Hop: New York” star Erica Mena, who also reacted to Dixon’s death on social media.

“We all deal with so much. You dealt with a lot. I’m so sorry this happened, you didn’t deserve this,” she wrote in her Instagram story on Thursday. “Rest in forever peace. Watch over your blood sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and your mommy. I know they are so broken right now.”