The world of college football and the NFL was shaken on Sunday when it was announced that former LSU star wide receiver and 2025 NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy had passed away. Authorities in Harris County, Texas disclosed that Lacy, 24, succumbed to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit. As stated in a press release, officers were addressing a weapons-related incident on Saturday night that involved Lacy and a family member. Lacy reportedly fired the gun into the ground and escaped the location. His car was seen shortly after, and as officers attempted to stop him, “Lacy then took off and a chase ensued covering several miles. … The suspect’s vehicle crashed.”
The statement further noted, “initial details suggest Lacy self-inflicted a gunshot wound during the chase and before the car collided.” Numerous LSU alumni such as Ja’Marr Chase, Angel Reese, and others, along with prominent athletes like Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expressed their sympathies regarding Lacy’s death on social media. While friends and family recounted personal anecdotes to pay tribute to his legacy, Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson, a close personal friend of Lacy’s, shared the last text messages he received from him on March 26.
“Grateful that my bro needed to hear that!!” “They will sense us!” Lacy messaged the Louisiana Tech graduate. “Do it!” Robertson answered.
Before their text exchange in late March, Robertson demonstrated that he had messaged Lacy in mid-January following his legal issues, expressing good wishes and informing him that he supported him no matter the outcome.
Robertson’s first messages were triggered by Lacy’s legal issues arising from a December car accident that resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall. Lacy reportedly left the location without providing assistance or notifying authorities, and was later charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run resulting in death, and reckless driving. Although he was released on a $151,000 bond, Lacy was set to appear before a grand jury on April 14.
