Zaire Williams, a former Temple University football star was shot and killed Monday in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old man was on the 1800 block of West Montgomery Avenue around 4 a.m. when he was shot in the head by an unidentified attacker.
According to police, the shooting stemmed from a fistfight and there is no Word on a suspect or a motive.
Williams was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m. No arrests have been made and a weapon has not been recovered.
According to reports, Williams was a star running back at Timber Creek High School in Sicklerville, New Jersey, where he was ranked as New Jersey’s 16th best football player. Then he played for two years for the Temple University Owls.
During his freshman year in 2013, he ranked third on Temple University’s all-time freshman rushing list with 533 yards. He was named to the 2013 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and was a 2013 honorable mention for the All-Freshman team.
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The former player missed several games due to a back injury during his sophomore year. He then was transferred to the University of Maine.
Philadelphia Eagles player Corey Clement and XFL player Phillip “PJ” Walker paid tribute to Williams on social media.
Man…….. life is short i can’t believe this news.. RIP Zaire 🙏 #23 My brotha!! 4L ❤️ pic.twitter.com/m0uwltdoqt
— PJ Walker (@pjwalker_5) March 2, 2020
A candlelight vigil was held for Williams Monday at 9 p.m. at the Timber Creek football field on 501 Jarvis Road in Sicklerville, New Jersey.
Amin Muhammad, an assistant football coach for Timber Creek High School told reporters that”Zaire was a phenomenal player. Phenomenal person, very encouraging. One of those people that you could depend on in tough situations. Either way, he was always there for you.”