An 18-year-old Ball State football player has died before taking his first career snaps.
Gavin Yates-Lyons, a freshman defensive back on the Ball State football team, was caught in the crossfire of a shooting at a Tallahassee parking garage in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 24. Yates-Lyons was among three victims injured in the shooting and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died on Saturday, May 30.
A graduate of Lowndes County High School in south Georgia, Yates-Lyons signed with the Cardinals on early signing day in December of 2025 and finished high school early to enroll and attend Ball State in January of 2026. He spent spring practice with the Cardinals and returned to Lowndes County to attend his high school graduation ceremony, which was held the day before the shooting.
His passing was confirmed by multiple outlets and teammates on Saturday night. The Lowndes County High School football page posted the news with the words “Forever Young. Forever a Viking.”
Ball State football confirmed his death in a social media post on Sunday morning.
“Gavin was an extraordinary person and it is difficult to express the grief we all feel. 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,” Ball State football chief of staff Pete Roley said in a statement posted to X on Sunday morning.
Yates-Lyons “excelled as a football player and was known for his respectful nature, kind heart, and deep love for his family and friends,” according to a GoFundMe created on behalf of his family, which has already raised over $8,000. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Yates-Lyons became an organ donor to save the lives of others.
The shooting occurred at an “unsanctioned pop-up party” at a parking garage outside of Legacy Suites Apartments in Tallahassee. The other two victims, both adult males, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect or suspects remain at large, and the investigation remains open and active, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@usatodayco.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ball State football player dies days after shooting at 18 years old
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
