A linebacker at Division II West Virginia State was tragically killed in what appears to be a home invasion, university officials said.
The body of Jyilek Zyiare Harrington, a Charlotte, North Carolina, native, was found inside an apartment Wednesday night in Charleston, police Lt. Tony Hazelett said in a statement Thursday.
According to police, a shooting took place inside a hallway and in the apartment. First responders found that the 21-year-old had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Police said they had no information on a possible suspect.
In response to this event, West Virginia State has made counseling services available for students and faculty to cope with the tragic loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jyilek’s family as they mourn the loss of this incredible young man,” West Virginia State President Ericke S. Cage said in a statement to students and faculty.
“Jyilek truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community,” West Virginia State Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said, referring to the beloved linebacker’s charity projects.
“This will be a way to continue that important work,” the university said. “Jyilek was a young man that, during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families.”
Burton said the university’s athletic department is setting up a fund to continue Harrington’s charitable work in his hometown of Charlotte.
Harrington was expected to play against his former team, Carson-Newman, in West Virginia State’s home opener the day after his death. The game was postponed to Friday to leave room for a vigil Thursday night.
Carson-Newman also released a statement on the tragedy from their Vice President of Athletics, Matt Pope.
“Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student-athlete Jyilek Harrington,” Pope said.
“The Harrington family and the Yellow Jackets’ campus community is in our prayers. News like this is sad to hear anytime, but today it feels worse with two teams who knew him coming together to play.”
Carson, a graduate of Chambers High School in Charlotte, began his college career at Division II Erskine College. Last season, he made seven tackles in six games at Carson-Newman.
At West Virginia State, Harrington was a senior linebacker. He had eight total tackles, including a sack, in a 27-24 win at Barton College last week.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.