Suspect arrested for murder of Lakers player's dad in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (KABC) -- Philadelphia police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of the father of a Los Angeles Lakers player in Germantown.

The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Carl White. He is said to be a career criminal.

Police credit community cooperation with White's apprehension.

The victim, identified as 57-year-old Wayne Ellington Sr., was found slumped behind the wheel of a car in the 5200 block of Marion Street at 8 p.m. on Nov. 9.

His car had hit two parked vehicles. He was taken to Einstein Medical Center in critical condition, and he died several hours later.

Ellington Sr. is the father of Lakers guard Wayne Ellington Jr., who is from Philadelphia.

VIDEO: Lakers player talks murder of father

Sources say witnesses told police that White yelled "Yo!" and Ellington Sr. slowed down his car. His window was half cracked, and that's when White allegedly walked up and fired one shot, hitting Ellington Sr. in the head.

It doesn't appear that the victim and the suspect knew each other, and the exact motive is still unclear. Police say White was high on PCP and may have been hallucinating at the time.

Days after the murder, Ellington Jr. told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV about the final text his father sent.

"He said, 'Ball hard! Get this first win tonight," Ellington Jr. said.

He said his father was his biggest fan.

"He played a huge role in me playing basketball, he put me in a league at 5 years old," Ellington Jr. said.

The Lakers went on to win that game, but after the victory, Ellington Jr. received the worst news ever: his dad had been fatally shot.

"I'm devastated," he said. "For a son to lose his father is very tough, it's unbelievable. It's crazy, I went from a high to the lowest point of my life."

Court records reveal White has a long history of crime. He's been arrested and served time for drugs, weapons, attempted murder and other crimes dating back to 1998.