Ball State DB Gavin Yates-Lyons dies at 18 after shooting

Ball State defensive back Gavin Yates-Lyons died on Saturday, days after he was shot in a parking garage.

>He was 18.

“We mourn the passing of Gavin Yates-Lyons,” Ball State said in a statement. “We extend sincere condolences to his family, friends, coaches, teammates and all who held him close. May you find comfort and strength during this challenging moment.”

Yates-Lyons was one of three people that was shot in a Tallahassee, Florida, parking garage early on May 24. Specifics of that incident are not yet known, but police arrived to find a man “suffering from life-threatening injuries and transported him to a local hospital," according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

>Two other men suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting. An investigation is still ongoing.

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>Yates-Lyons graduated from Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, which sits right over the border with Florida about 90 minutes from Tallahassee. Yates-Lyons signed with the Cardinals in December. He finished high school early and enrolled at Ball State in January to participate in spring practice with the Cardinals.

>According to the Muncie Star Press, Yates-Lyons returned home to attend his high school graduation ceremony. That was held the day before the shooting.

"Gavin was an extraordinary person and it is difficult to express the grief we all feel,” Ball State football chief of staff Pete Roley said on social media. “Our hearts are with his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Thank you to the Ball State admin, staff and community for the support of our players and staff as we mourn.”