Missouri State freshman tailback Richard Nelson, 18, was shot and killed in his hometown of Las Vegas Saturday night.
According to KSNV-TV in Las Vegas, the shooting occurred at 7:35 pm. Nelson was shot at least twice while trying to break up a fight.
Nelson was sent to Sunrise hospital where he later died.
“Our Missouri State football family is in shock and mourning at the loss of one of our family members,” MSU head coach Dave Steckel said in a news release. “Richard is like a son and a brother. It is a tragedy that he lost his life defending what is right. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in Las Vegas, and we know he is in a good place with God. We ask everyone to respect the privacy of our football family at this time as we begin the healing process.”
The incident is being investigated and more details will be released by the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
“On behalf of our administration, coaches and student-athletes, we want to express our condolences to Richard’s family and friends,” MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said. “He will be dearly missed by his Missouri State family and the coaches and teammates who knew him so well.”
Nelson, who redshirted last season, earned second-team all-state honors as a senior running back and linebacker for Las Vegas Chaparral High School in 2015. He rushed for 558 yards and 10 touchdowns, catching 15 passes for 279 yards and 4 TDs as a senior.
