Thousands Donated To Support Family Of Slain Aussie Baseball Player

Tens of thousands of dollars are pouring in to support the family of Chris Lane. The Aussie baseball star was gunned down Friday in Duncan. Police say his murder was the result of an indiscriminate shooting by a group of teens that is being described as a "thrill kill."

As of Wednesday, GoFundMe.com had collected more than $76,000 for the Lane family, going well beyond the goal of $15,000.

From headlines of disgust in Australian newspapers, the outpouring of love on social media and to the most popular stories on News9.com -- people cannot understand the senseless killing.

"The fact that people all over the world that he either met or [went] to school with … or even people he hasn't met … they all loved him and respected him as a person," Chris' American girlfriend Sarah Harper told Australian reporters in Oklahoma.

8/21/2013 Related Story: Duncan Community Remembers Christopher Lane

One of Chris' former baseball club leaders in Australia tells News 9 that legitimate funds are established at http://www.essendon.baseball.com.au/?ID=95038 and http://www.gofundme.com/3zktjc

Anyone in Chris' college town of Ada can donate to the "Chris Lane Memorial Fund" at the Bank of the West -- 606 E. Main Street Ada, Oklahoma 74280.

Ways to donate:

• http://www.essendon.baseball.com.au/?ID=95038

• http://www.gofundme.com/3zktjc

• Bank of the West -- 606 E. Main Street Ada, Oklahoma 74280

"I think it's the way people can grieve, and they just want to contribute in some way," Australia's Essendon Baseball Club president Tony Cornish told News 9. "It's been, actually, overwhelming."

Harper says she is grateful for the support to the Lane family.

"I appreciate everything that [the Lane family has] done, and I appreciate them sharing [Chris] over here with all of us, me in particular," said Harper.

Organizers say money being collected will be given to the Lane family to fly Chris' body back to Australia, support the baseball program in his native country and remember the young student athlete.

"When [Chris' parents] release when the funeral will be, [my family and I] will travel [to Australia] and pay our respects and give our last goodbyes with all of them," Harper said.

Cornish says Chris' parents will not be traveling to the United States. They will stay in Australia to receive their son's body.

A Facebook page in Chris' honor is gaining thousands of followers at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/RIP-Christopher-Lane/155307978006875