A college football player in Missouri has died after suffering a gunshot wound that authorities said may have been “accidental” and “self-inflicted.” He was 21.
Todric McGee, a safety for the Missouri State Bears, died on Saturday, April 19, after he was hospitalized the previous day for injuries he sustained at “his local residence,” Missouri State University (MSU) Athletics Communications said in a news release.
Police told The Springfield News-Leader that, in response to a wellness check call, officers located McGee in the morning of Friday, April 18, with a “possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
The Wichita, Kan., native was then transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on April 19. The investigation into his death is ongoing, per MSU athletics.
The Springfield Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on April 19.
McGee was entering his fifth season with the Missouri State football program. He was the starting safety for the Bears in both 2024 and 2023, and he earned all-conference honors for the latter, per MSU.
The athlete’s 2024 season ended after he suffered an injury during the fifth game of the season, The Springfield News-Leader reported.
On April 16 — just two days before suffering the fatal gunshot wound — McGee reposted MSU football videos on his X account, which was filled with inspirational posts and Bears-related content.
“Our football family is in shock and in mourning at the loss of Todric,” Ryan Beard, the Bears’ head football coach, said in a statement following McGee’s sudden death.
“We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and our MoState football team at this time as we begin the healing process,” Beard continued. “Join us in praying for Todric and the people who loved him.”
Patrick Ransdell, director of athletics at MSU, also shared a statement. “On behalf of the university and our entire department, we want to express our condolences to Todric’s family, friends and teammates,” he said.
“This tragedy has shaken our football program to the core,” Ransdell continued, “and we want them to know we are here to support them in every way possible at this extremely difficult time.”
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McGee’s alma mater, Wichita Northwest High School, also honored him following his death.
The school’s football team wrote on X on April 19, “I am heartbroken to have to share this but Todric McGee passed away last night! Please keep his mother Stephanie and sister Tahlia in your thoughts and prayers as well as the many family and friends he had.”
“He was an amazing young man with a heart of gold!” the post to the all-conference safety continued. “RIP Todric!”
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