College football player shot and killed in break-in one day before a game against his former school

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) – The victim of a shooting Wednesday night in Charleston, West Virginia, has been identified as a 21-year-old college football athlete.

According to Charleston police, the victim of the fatal shooting was identified as Jyilek Harrington of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charleston police said their officers responded to a disturbance call in the 700 block of Regency Drive on Wednesday after receiving reports of multiple shots being fired.

First responders found Harrington at the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but he succumbed to his injuries.

According to a West Virginia State University spokesperson, Harrington was a senior at the school and transferred to the university this year to play inside linebacker for the football team.

“Jyilek was a senior member of the Yellow Jacket football team. He was an outstanding student-athlete and a leader not only on our campus but in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jyilek’s family as they mourn the loss of this incredible young man,” West Virginia State University President Ericke Cage said in a press release.

West Virginia State University was originally scheduled to play Carson-Newman University on Thursday, but the game was postponed until Friday afternoon.

Harrington previously attended and played at Carson-Newman University before transferring to West Virginia State University.

“This was tragic and terrible news to receive this morning,” said Ashley Ingram, head football coach at Carson-Newman University.

Carson-Newman University officials said police are investigating Harrington’s death as a burglary and homicide.

“Jyilek was a young man who started a GoFundMe campaign at Christmas to help families in need,” said Nate Burton, vice president of intercollegiate athletics at West Virginia State University. “The athletic department is setting up a fund in Jyilek’s memory and all donations will be distributed to an organization in his hometown of Charlotte to continue his work.”

Donations to West Virginia State University’s Harrington memorial fund can be made online.

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