Former Miami Hurricanes football player Avantae Williams has been charged with the murder of Keshod Harris
According to police reports officers responded to a bar in DeLand Florida due to a large fight breaking out inside of the nightclub. According to witnesses Avantae Williams would pull out a gun and allegedly shot Keshod Harris multiple times causing his death. A bartender was injured in the shooting and is expected to survive his injuries
Avantae Williams future in the NFL is bleak especially if he is found guilty of the murder and spend decades in prison
Avantae Williams News
Former University of Miami defensive back Avantae Williams has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred over the weekend in East Central Florida.
According to the DeLand Police Department, the shooting occurred early Saturday morning at McCabe’s Bar.
On Monday night, authorities announced that detectives arrested Williams, 24, of DeLand, in connection with the homicide.
He faces a second-degree murder charge.
“At this time, this remains an open and active investigation,” the police department posted on social media. “Detectives still continue to collect evidence and conduct interviews with people concerning the facts and circumstances of this shooting incident. Approximately 40 patrons were inside McCabe’s Bar on the night of the incident and they may have information that will help bring justice in this case.”
According to police, offices from the DeLand Police Department and deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at 225 N. Amelia Ave. around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Witnesses told authorities that a fistfight broke out between several men inside the bar, during which time one man pulled out a gun and began shooting.
“The victim, identified as 32-year-old Keshod Harris of DeLand, was struck multiple times in the chest,” DeLand police said. “He was transported to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.”
Police confirmed that a bartender was also shot in both hands during the incident and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, Williams fled the scene after the shooting.
As of Tuesday, he remained behind bars in Volusia County.
This isn’t Williams’ first brush with the law as he was arrested in 2021 in Miami-Dade County on a charge of battery on a pregnant woman. That charge was later dropped.
Avantae Williams More News
A former college football player who spent time at a major university is now facing murder charges after a fatal altercation this weekend.
Ex-Maryland Avantae Williams, 24, was arrested and charged with murder in relation to a shooting on Saturday morning in DeLand, Florida. The city sits around 40 miles north of Orlando.
Police arrived to the scene at around 1:30 AM after reports of people fighting inside the bar. They say that during the fight, a man pulled out a gun and started shooting.
32-year-old Keshod Harris was hit by multiple shots in his chest, and he would die after being transported to the hospital due to his injuries. A bartender in the venue was also shot and was taken to the hospital.
Williams is a native of DeLand and played for the Miami Hurricanes in his home state before transferring to Maryland. He played in 17 games for the Terrapins, and he was a high four-star recruit out of high school.
Avantae Williams was initially charged with aggravated assault during a situation with a pregnant girlfriend, but the state attorney’s office in Florida dropped the charges after the victim denied the allegations.
“Everyone treats me like a celebrity, but I just feel like I’m a regular person,” Williams told the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
“It’s cool to finally have (the recruiting process) over because I can’t go anywhere without somebody staring at me or wanting to take a picture. I never cared about fame or all of that, I just want to play football.”
The arrest could put Williams’ future in jeopardy. We’ve seen NFL. teams pass on talented players due to off-field concerns and character issues, and even without serving any jail time, the league’s general managers and coaches may not want to add any players at a specific position.
Williams’ fate now lies in the hands of the legal system as he looks to earn a right to freedom once again. The former player spent time with ACC and Big Ten schools, playing against some of the best and brightest names in all of college football.
Now, it seems that he’ll be simply on the hunt to make it through the trial without issue.
https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/former-college-football-player-facing-murder-charges-at-24