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Former Miami and Marylandcollege football playerAvantae Williams was arrested on Monday, May 5, in Volusia County, Florida, on a second-degree murder charge. Authorities have identified him as the alleged perpetrator of a shooting at McCabe's bar in the city of DeLand, where a 32-year-old man, Keshod Harris, died after being shot multiple times in the chest. According to the police report, the incident began with a physical altercation that quickly escalated into a shooting.
In addition to Harris, a waiter at the establishment was also wounded by gunfire, although he is out of danger after receiving medical attention. Williams, 24, allegedly fled the scene before officers arrived and remained on the run for almost two days until his capture. He is currently being held without bail as the investigation continues.
From sports promise to criminal record
Avantae Williams was once considered one of the most promising prospects in college football. ESPN named him the top recruit at his position coming out of high school in 2020. However, his career was marred from the start: before he made his debut for the Miami Hurricanes, he was separated from the team after facing charges for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman, although these were later dropped.
After reing the team and playing two seasons with the University of Miami, Williams transferred to Maryland, where he only played a few games during the 2023 campaign. He entered the transfer portal at the end of the season, but did not re any other team. His sporting career seemed to have stalled, while his legal past began to weigh more heavily than his talent on the field.
The case is still developing
So far, authorities have not clearly revealed what caused the fight that led to the shooting. Witnesses described a scene of chaos inside the bar, where those present sought refuge when the shooting began. Police are continuing to gather evidence and testimony to clarify what happened.
Williams' case reignites the debate about the conduct of some athletes off the field and how their backgrounds can affect not only their careers, but also public safety. For now, the former player remains in custody, while he is expected to face formal charges in the coming days.