University of Utah star freshman running back Ty Jordan is dead after accidentally discharging his gun and shooting himself in the hip. He was 19.
Jordan, who grew up in the Dallas area, died while celebrating the Christmas holiday in Denton, Texas, CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City reports.
Authorities tell TMZ, the victim died early Saturday. Police responded to a shooting on the 1100 block of Avenue A in Denton, and found Jordan suffering from a gunshot wound to the hip.
He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities believe the shooting was accidental.
Police said there was no danger to the public. A day earlier, Jordan was named Pac-12’s Offensive Freshman Player of the Year, after rushing for 597 yards and scoring 6 touchdowns.
“Words cannot express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” Utah Head Football Coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement.
