SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- The Hampden District Attorney’s Office has closed its investigation into the July 5 shooting death of Springfield youth football coach Bobby Murchison, concluding the woman who fired the deadly shot acted lawfully in defense of her husband.

Despite new details showing Murchison as the aggressor in the confrontation, friends and former classmates are now raising money for the youth team he was set to coach this season.

According to the D.A.’s office, the incident began with a social media dispute and ended with a single gunshot at the home of people whom Murchison knew. Authorities allege a fight on the homeowner’s property was initiated by Murchison. He allegedly drew a gun and pointed it at the homeowner, at which point the homeowner’s wife fired her own firearm. No charges were filed. The D.A.’s office said the case is closed, concluding the woman acted lawfully in defense of her husband.

Friends and former classmates of Murchison said Wednesday they are determined to preserve his impact on Springfield’s youth. Classmates from Putnam High School’s Class of 2008 began collecting donations - first to support his family and now to benefit the 7-Under Springfield Tigers, the team Murchison was preparing to coach this season.

Ariana Horne, a friend and former classmate who served as class president alongside Murchison as class vice president, said the funds will help cover expenses such as uniforms and travel. “He loved the community. He loved the youth. Everything that we’ve ever talked about, like, in high school, and all his endeavors that he wanted to do, he set out to do,” she explained.

Horne added the Springfield Tigers organization is on board and plans are being made to distribute the collected funds at the team’s banquet next month. “They loved Bobby and, you know, we spoke highly of who he was, what he represented, and they are all in,” she noted.

Horne is collecting donations through the end of the month.

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