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LAS VEGAS, NV — Disbelief from family and friends as an 18-year-old, Missouri State football player was fatally shot while visiting family over the weekend.
Richard Nelson, a football Bear red shirt freshman, was just about to return to Springfield for spring classes. Police say on Saturday night, an argument between two groups started outside his mother’s house.
Friends say Nelson went outside, trying to help his sister who was on the ground, being attacked. That’s when one man pulled a gun and fired five shots.
“When he was laying outside of my house,” Nelson’s mother Roxanne Bruce said, “and I was with him and I was praying God, please.”
At least two bullets hit Nelson, who later died at a Vegas hospital.
“He was defending his sister, and I was defending her. We were side by side and they shot him, and I wish they would have shot me. And I pray to God to take me instead of him, because he has so much more.”
Click to view the Las Vegas Police Department report
Rogersville native, Dylan Cole saying on Twitter, “I looked up to him. Such a joy to be around and his hard work inspired me so much. He will truly be missed.”
Head coach Dave Steckel added, “Richard is like a son and brother. It is a tragedy that he lost his life defending what is right.”
Grief counselors will be at Missouri State this week, helping teammates and classmates.
