Houston Baptist star Darius Lee shot, killed

HBU's Darius Lee was just 21 years old. Patrick Breen/The Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Houston Baptist men's basketball star Darius Lee shot, killed at gathering in New York

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/20/22

Houston Baptist University men's basketball star Darius Lee was shot and killed at a gathering in New York early on Monday, multiple sources reported. He was just 21 years old.

According to ESPN, officers responded to reports around 12:40 a.m. of a shooting "on a footpath along FDR Drive." Eight other people were also shot, and some went to the hospital on their own accord, ESPN said.

Lee, who grew up in Harlem and attended St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Bronx, was home for the summer from school in Texas. He was recently named Male Student-Athlete of the Year and scheduled to graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in sports management.

"We are in shock and cannot wrap our heads around this news," Houston Baptist coach Ron Cottrell said in a statement. "My heart breaks for his mom, his sister and his family, and also for our basketball team."

Absolutely heart-wrenching news about the passing of Houston Baptist star Darius Lee earlier today.

HBU coach Ron Cottrell provided a statement on Lee. pic.twitter.com/my0fVihYSh
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 20, 2022