College Basketball Player Darius Lee Killed During NYC Shooting, Several Others Injured

A shooting broke out early Monday morning in Harlem leaving Darius Lee dead and several other people injured.

The deceased victim has been identified as 21-year-old college basketball standout, Darius Lee. According to Fox News, Lee, who was named the Houston Baptist University Robbie Robertson Male Student-Athlete of the Year, was celebrating the holiday with his family at a gathering when at about 12:45 a.m. at least two gunmen opened fire striking seven men and two women along a footpath off of the FDR Drive near 139th Street and Fifth Avenue. Police sources said that many as 150 bullets were fired during the shootout.

Lee was quickly taken to Lincoln Hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. Basketball coach Ron Cottrell released a statement about his passing via the school’s website. It read, “We are in shock and cannot wrap our heads around this news. My heart breaks for his mom, his sister, and his entire family, and for our basketball team. The only thing we find comfort in right now is knowing where Darius is. He is in the arms of Jesus… we know that as fact. And we will see him again someday.”

The other victims which include a 42-year-old, are currently recovering and is expected to survive. So far, police have recovered a gun at the scene as they investigated what lead to the shooting. NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell during a briefing at the scene, “The emboldened individuals responsible for this is exactly who our officers are battling every day to make our cities safe.”