A memorial fund has been created in honor of a 21-year-old West Virginia State University football player who was shot and killed on Wednesday at an apartment complex in Charleston.
Police responded to reports of gunfire and found Jyilek Harrington, of North Carolina, who later died from his injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide, but no suspects have been identified.
Harrington was a linebacker and recently transferred to WVSU from Carson-Newman University; the two schools were slated to play each other on Thursday, but the game was postponed until Friday.
Both teams held a vigil on Thursday.
"Jyilek truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community. Jyilek was a young man that, during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said. "... We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, coaches and teammates during this difficult time."
Carson-Newman joined WVSU in mourning Harrington.
"The Harrington family and the Yellowjackets' campus community are 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-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope said in a statement.
WVSU has created a memorial fund in honor of Harrington, and the donations will be distributed to an organization in his hometown of Charlotte. As of Friday, $4,540 had been raised.
