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A star athlete from Houston Baptist University was killed at a gathering in his hometown of East Harlem, New York early Monday, the school said.
Darius Lee, 21, a senior at HBU, played basketball as a guard during his time at HBU and was on-track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in sports management in December, according to the university. He was recently named HBU’s Robbie Robertson Male Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2021-2022 season after leading his team in rebounds and was sixth in the nation in steals per game.
“We are devastated,” said Ron Cottrel, men’s basketball coach for HBU. “Darius was a remarkable young man who loved the Lord, his mom, his family, his teammates, his friends, and his entire HBU family.”
According to NBC News, Brian McGee, deputy chief of the New York City Police Department, said in a news conference that police had been called to numerous reports of people shot at what appeared to be a gathering at around 12:40 a.m. in East Harlem.
Upon arrival, officers found five people shot on a footpath along the FDR under the Madison Avenue Bridge, he said. All five victims, including Lee, were taken to area hospitals by emergency crews. Four others were taken by a private vehicle.
Lee later died at the hospital, NBC News reported.
In a release from HBU, the university said the entire community is mourning his loss.
“Our prayers are with his family first and most importantly, but also with his friends, coaches, and teammates,” HBU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci said in a statement. “He was a very fine young man who had a very bright future in front of him both on and off the court.”
“Our prayers are with his family first and most importantly, but also with his friends, coaches, and teammates,” HBU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci said in a statement. “He was a very fine young man who had a very bright future in front of him both on and off the court.”
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