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09/12 19:26 CDT A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve
of a game against his old school
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game
against his old school
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) --- A linebacker at Division II West Virginia State was
fatally shot during what the university said Thursday is being investigated by
police as a home invasion.
The body of Jyilek Zyiare Harrington, 21, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was
found inside an apartment Wednesday night in Charleston, police Lt. Tony
Hazelett said in a statement.
Hazelett said several gunshots were fired during a disturbance in a hallway and
inside the apartment. The statement said Harrington had multiple gunshot wounds
and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they had no information on a
possible suspect.
West Virginia State said counselors were available to students and faculty on
campus.
"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 letter to students and faculty.
Harrington, a senior, had eight total tackles, including a sack, in a 27-24 win
at Barton College last week.
"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. "Jyilek was a young man that,
during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families."
Burton said donations to a fund established by the athletic department in
Harrington's memory will be distributed to an organization in Charlotte to
continue his charity work.
West Virginia State's home opener against Carson-Newman, originally scheduled
for Thursday night, has been rescheduled to Friday, and a private vigil
involving both teams was set for Thursday night. Harrington previously attended
Carson-Newman, where he made seven tackles in six games last season. He began
his college career at Division II Erskine College.
"Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of
former student-athlete Jyilek Harrington," Carson-Newman Vice President of
Athletics Matt Pope said in a statement. "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."
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