West Virginia State football player from Charlotte shot, killed in Charleston

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — A senior college football player from Charlotte was identified as the victim in a deadly shooting Wednesday night in Charleston, West Virginia.

The Charleston Police Department said officers found 21-year-old Jyilek Harrington, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The senior linebacker at West Virginia State graduated from Chambers High School in 2021.

The Charleston Police Department said a disturbance happened in the hallway and inside an apartment in the 700 block of Regency Drive just after 8:30 p.m. During this, multiple gunshots were fired.

As of Thursday morning, there is no suspect description or information. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Charleston PD’s Criminal Investigation Division at 304-348-6480 or dispatchers at 304-348-8111.

WVSU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said Harrington, “truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community” Burton said he would set up a GoFundMe for less fortunate families around the holidays.

What was supposed to be Thursday night’s game against Carson-Newman University — where Harrington used to play — has now pivoted. They are now using it as a time to reflect on Harrington’s impact as a person.

“Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student-athlete Jyilek Harrington,” Carson-Newman’s Vice President of Athletics Matt Pope said in a statement. “The Harrington family and the Yellow Jackets’ campus community is in our prayers. News like this is sad to hear anytime, but today it feels worse with two teams who knew him coming together to play.”

Harrington was part of two 4AA state championship teams while at Chambers, then known as Vance High, coached by Glenwood Ferebee. He playing alongside ACC stars like UNC linebacker Power Echols and N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion.

The university said counseling is available for students on the first floor of Sullivan Hall East. That office can be reached at 304-766-3168 or counseling@wvstateu.edu.

A memorial fund has been set up in Harrington’s memory. You can donate by clicking here .

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