The West Virginia State University community is mourning the death of its football athlete. Jyilek Zyiare Harrington, a senior at the university, was the victim of a fatal shooting in a home invasion on Wednesday night in Charleston, West Virginia. As per the local police, the first responders found Harrington with multiple gunshot wounds at his Regency Drive apartment complex, but despite their life-saving measures, the 21-year-old succumbed to his injuries. The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The police have yet to identify a suspect. 

In a press release, Ericke Cage, president of West Virginia State University, said, “Jyilek was a senior member of the Yellow Jacket football team. He was an outstanding student-athlete and was 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.”

Jyilek Harrington, a North Carolina native who played at the linebacker position, had transferred to West Virginia State University from Carson-Newman College in Tennessee this year. The two teams were set to face each other on Thursday in an NCAA Division II contest. However, the game was postponed to Friday noon after they learnt about Jyilek’s tragic death.

The West Virginia State University president urged the campus community to attend the Friday game and honor Jyilek Harrington’s memory. The teams also held a prayer vigil on Thursday evening to honor Jyilek.

Jyilek Harrington: a champion on and off the field

In the game between West Virginia State and Carson-Newman that is rescheduled for Friday, the two teams will observe a one-minute silence to honor Jyilek Harrington’s memory. The West Virginia State University community remembers Jyilek as someone who understood what it meant to be a student-athlete; he was a leader on the field and supported the community off the field.

As per Nate Burton, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Jyilek would raise money through GoFundMe for less fortunate families during the festive season. The athletic department at the university will start a fund in Jyilek’s memory. To ensure that Jyilek’s work continues, all donations will go towards an organization in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Carson-Newman College will not allow any player to wear the number 31 during the rescheduled match. Carson-Newman’s athletic director, Matt Pope, and head coach, Ashley Ingram, expressed their condolences and support to West Virginia State University during this tough time. “We join with West Virginia State in mourning the passing of Jyelik Harrington. We will encourage and lift them up in their time of tragedy,” Ingram said.