Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase in Texas on Saturday night, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said on Sunday.
Police deputies said they got a call that Lacy, 24, had argued with a family member and shot a gun into the ground, FOX 26 Houston reported. Officials said they searched for Lacy after he fled the scene, leading to an attempt at a traffic stop. Instead, he led them on a car chase for several miles and crashed in Spring, Texas, authorities said.
When deputies removed Lacy from the car to take him into custody, they found him with the wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders, the sheriff’s office said.
“Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Units conducted an investigation of the incident,” a statement read, via FOX 26 Houston. “Preliminary information indicates Lacy shot himself during the pursuit and prior to the vehicle crashing. A handgun was recovered from the interior of the vehicle. A review of the Pct. 4 units body camera and in car dash mounted video did not indicate any shots were fired after the pursuit ended.”
The Harris County of Institute of Forensic Sciences will conduct an autopsy, CNN reported. Lacy’s death came 11 days before he was hoping to be picked in the NFL draft.
“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” LSU said in a statement earlier Sunday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”
Lacy was facing negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle charges related to a car accident in Chackbay, La., on Dec. 17, 2024, that killed a 78-year-old man. He turned himself in the following month and was out of jail on $151,000 bail.
Baton Rouge TV station WAFB reported that a grand jury was scheduled to hear evidence in the Lacy case beginning Monday.
Lacy, a native of Thibodaux, La., caught 58 passes for 866 yards and shared the Southeastern Conference lead with nine touchdown receptions in 12 games in 2024.
He finished his collegiate career with 162 catches for 2,360 yards and 26 touchdowns in 64 games with Louisiana (2020-21) and LSU (2022-24).
–Field Level Media
