University of Utah freshman football player Ty Jordan was killed Friday night in an accidental shooting, ESPN reports. He was 19 years old.
Jordan, from Mesquite, Texas, was named the PAC-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year after rushing for 597 yards and scoring six touchdowns this year.
Police in Denton, Texas responded to a report of a shooting last night and found the victim, having been shot once. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police had ruled the shooting accidental, and no one else was harmed.
“Following a preliminary investigation, we do believe that this was an accidental shooting, where the victim accidentally shot himself,” Denton Police Department public information officer Allison Beckwith told ESPN.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Ty Jordan’s passing early this morning and our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved him dearly, including the young men in our football program,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement Saturday. “Our priority is on supporting his family and the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our football program who are so deeply hurting right now. Coach Whittingham and I are working closely to provide support and resources for our Utah Football family in this extremely difficult time.”