Jyilek Harrington, a 21-year-old senior football player at West Virginia State University, was killed in a suspected home invasion on Wednesday night, September 11, 2024. The shooting incident took place one day before Harrington’s team was set to play a game against his former school, Carson-Newman University.
Police in Charleston, West Virginia responded to a disturbance call on Regency Drive around 8:38 p.m. following reports of gunfire. On arriving at the scene, they found Harrington in an apartment, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving attempts, he succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
According to Lieutenant Tony Hazelett of the Charleston Police Department, several shots were fired during a disturbance both in the hallway and inside the apartment. The identity of the possible suspect is yet to be revealed by the authorities.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Harrington had recently transferred to West Virginia State University for his senior year. He was an inside linebacker for the Yellow Jackets football team. During his last game against Barton College, he demonstrated his skills with eight tackles and a sack, aiding his team to a 27-24 victory.
Sharing his condolences, West Virginia State University President Ericke Cage described Harrington as an exceptional student-athlete and a true leader in the community. Cage expressed his deepest sympathies to Harrington’s family, mourning the tragic loss of an extraordinary young man.
The university’s home opener against Carson-Newman University, originally planned for Thursday night, was rescheduled to Friday, September 13, at noon. This change allowed both teams to hold private vigils on Thursday evening. Carson-Newman was Harrington’s alma mater before he transferred to West Virginia State.
Ashley Ingram, head football coach at Carson-Newman University, reacted to the tragic news, stating, “This was tragic and awful news to receive this morning.” His sentiment was shared by students and staff across both campuses as they dealt with the unexpected loss.
Nate Burton, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at West Virginia State University, spoke about Harrington’s influence beyond the football field. He praised Harrington’s character, recalling how he organized a GoFundMe campaign to aid needy families during the holiday season.
To honor Harrington’s memory and continue his philanthropic work, the athletic department at West Virginia State University has set up a memorial fund. All collected donations will be donated to an organization in Harrington’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, to further his legacy of service.
The Charleston Police Department is still investigating the shooting incident and gathering more details about the circumstances. They are asking anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
