Grossmont’s Burton II dies from shooting

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: June 26, 2022

Former Grossmont High football player Kevin Burton (right) with teammate Gio Burns.

2022 EAST COUNTY LOCAL COVERAGE

ECS staff report

Kevin Burton II

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Burton II, who played football for Grossmont High this past season, died in a San Diego hospital following a shooting in the East College area.

San Diego Police Department officials announced that an 18-year-old male was shot leaving a house party just east of San Diego State University on Saturday morning around 1:45 a.m., and he was not expected to survive, although he was on life support on Sunday but passed away later that day.

NBC-7 television quoted Burton’s mother on Sunday afternoon that the victim was her son, who just graduated from Grossmont High less than one month earlier.

Burton, who was slated to play for San Diego Mesa College this fall, played a big role on special teams for the Foothillers in 2021. He returned 12 kickoffs for 248 yards (20.7 average), and also had five pass receptions for 40 yards on offense.

Burton, who stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, was slated to compete for the Olympians as a slot or wide receiver, along with duties as a kick returner. He was expected to join fellow Grossmont Foothiller Giovanni Burns as incoming freshmen playmakers for Mesa.

Burns, one of the top players in the East County as a wide receiver last season, touted the arrival at San Diego Mesa of the Hiller pair just three months ago.