CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man shot and killed in Charleston Thursday night was a member of the West Virginia State University football team.
Jyilek Harrington, 21, of Charlotte, North Carolina, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident at an apartment complex on Regency Drive in Charleston, off Corridor G, around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“First there was a disturbance outside in the hallway, which then spread into the apartment where shots were fired,” said Tony Hazelett, chief of detectives for the Charleston Police Department.
Hazelett said investigators have interviewed several people who were in the area but have not yet identified a suspect in the case.
Harrington recently transferred to West Virginia State after playing at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee. Ironically, State plays Carson-Newman tonight. West Virginia State President Ericke Cage encouraged the campus community to come and honor Harrington’s memory at the game.
“We send our sincere condolences to Jyilek’s family, friends, coaches and teammates during this difficult time,” Cage said.
The university released the following statement:
“Last night, our university community suffered a terrible loss with the death of student-athlete Jyilek Harrington, who was found dead in an off-campus apartment in Charleston. This tragic incident is currently being investigated by law enforcement as a burglary and homicide.
Jyilek was a senior member of the Yellow Jacket football team. He was an outstanding student-athlete and 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.
All of our students who need help processing this loss can rest assured that help is available. Counseling is available through Counseling and Wellness Services on the first floor of Sullivan Hall, East. The office can be reached at (304) 766-3168 or [email protected].
In memory of Jyilek and in support of our football team, I encourage all students, faculty and staff to attend the football game tonight at 6 p.m. against Carson-Newman University, where Jyilek once played. A moment of silence will be held before the game in honor of Jyilek.
Additionally, the athletic department is setting up a GoFundMe in honor of Jyilek. During the holiday season, Jyilek will create a GoFundMe to support families in need. This way, this important work can continue.
“Jyilek truly embodied what it meant to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community as well. Jyilek was a young man who started a GoFundMe campaign at Christmas to help families in need,” said Nate Burton, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. “The athletic department is establishing a fund in Jyilek’s memory and all donations will be distributed to an organization in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina to continue his work.” To donate to the Jyilek Harrington Memorial Fund, please visit https://give.wvstateu.edu/JyilekHarrington.
Carson Newman also released a statement from athletic director Matt Pope about the tragedy:
“Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely death of the former student-athlete Jyilek Harrington”Carson-Newman University vice president of athletics Matt Pope said in a statement. “The Harrington family and the Yellow Jackets campus community are in our prayers. News like this is always sad, but today feels even worse as two teams that knew him come together to play.”
