Avantae Williams, a former college football player, now faces serious legal consequences after a tragic shooting incident in Florida.
What started as a night of socializing has turned into a devastating event that could potentially result in a life sentence for the former Maryland and Miami safety.
The Deadly Altercation
Over the weekend, Williams, 24, was arrested in connection to a deadly shooting at McCabe’s, a bar located in DeLand, just north of Orlando.
The altercation left 32-year-old Keshod Harris dead and a bartender injured.
Harris was shot multiple times after a physical fight broke out inside the bar.
According to reports from the DeLand Police Department, authorities responded to the scene around 1:30 AM on Saturday, after receiving multiple calls.
Eyewitnesses described chaos unfolding when a fistfight between several men escalated.
One of the men involved reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking Harris in the chest several times.
Harris was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
A Bartender’s Account
The shooting also injured a bartender, who was caught in the crossfire and suffered gunshot wounds to both hands.
The bartender was taken to the hospital but thankfully had non-life-threatening injuries.
Stephanie Kirby, the bartender who witnessed the shooting, described the terrifying scene.
She recalled how the bar was filled with around 40 people when the fight broke out.
“There was chaos, you know, everybody was running,” she said.
“When bullets are flying, and you don’t know where they’re gonna land, that’s pretty scary.”
Kirby, who hid behind the bar during the shooting, explained how she then helped patrons escape.
Her colleague, Courtney, was shot while trying to break up the altercation.
Despite the danger, Kirby said Harris had been calm and sociable before the violence erupted, adding that he was just hanging out with friends, having a good time.
The Arrest and Investigation
Williams, who fled the scene, was identified by investigators as the prime suspect.
He was arrested on Monday after a warrant was issued for his capture.
Currently, he is being held at the Volusia County Jail and faces charges of second-degree murder.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 16 years to life.
As police continue to investigate the motive behind the altercation, it’s unclear whether Harris was specifically targeted by Williams.
The details of what sparked the fight remain a mystery.
A Promising Football Career Shattered
Before this incident, Williams had shown great promise in his football career.
A standout safety at DeLand High School, he went on to play for both the Maryland Terrapins and the Miami Hurricanes on scholarship.
After two seasons with Miami, Williams finished his college career with Maryland in the 2023-24 season.
Now, instead of playing football, Williams’ future is uncertain, as he faces the potential of spending the rest of his life behind bars.