Harlem Mass Shooting: College Basketball Player Killed, 9 Injured

HARLEM, NY — An early-morning mass shooting in Harlem left nine people wounded and a college senior dead early Monday, according to police officials.

Police identified Darius Lee, 21, as the deceased on Monday. Lee was a senior at Houston Baptist University in Texas, where he played basketball. He was home in Harlem for summer break, the university said.

Shots rang out around 12:40 a.m. on a footpath along the FDR Drive at East 139th Street, below the Madison Avenue Bridge, Manhattan detectives bureau head Brian McGee told reporters early Monday.

Groups had been gathering on the waterfront promenade for some kind of barbecue or gathering, McGee said.

After getting "numerous reports" of a shooting, police arrived and found five injured people along the footpath, who were transported by paramedics to local hospitals. Another four victims were taken to hospitals by private means, McGee said.

All told, seven men and two women were shot, according to McGee. Lee was pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, police said later.

Few other details were immediately available, such as whether there had been more than one shooter and what led to the shots being fired. No arrests have been announced.

McGee urged members of the public to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline with any information.

"This investigation is ongoing, we are looking for information," McGee said. "We know there are a lot of people out there."

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the tragedy unfolded during an otherwise joyous time in the city.

"It’s Father’s Day weekend — a weekend where people were supposed to be enjoying themselves with their families," she said.

Lee was on track to graduate with his bachelor's degree this December, Houston Baptist said. He was named HBU Robbie Robertson Male Student-Athlete of the Year recently and lead the Huskies in both scoring and rebounding last season.

Lee's coach, Ron Cottrell, said the Houston Baptist community was "devastated."

"Darius was a remarkable young man who loved the Lord, his mom, his family, his teammates, his friends and his entire HBU family," Cottrell said. "We are in shock and cannot wrap our heads around this news. My heart breaks for his mom, his sister and his entire family, and for our basketball team."

"The only thing we find comfort in right now is knowing where Darius is," Cottrell continued. "He is in the arms of Jesus… we know that as fact. And we will see him again some day. As great of a basketball player as he was, he was an even better person. I can't even think of basketball right now. I can only think of what a light Darius was during his short time on earth. He was a joy to coach and we loved him so much. Please keep his mom, sister and family in your prayers, as well as our HBU basketball family, during this very difficult time."