Utah cornerback Aaron Lowe shot to death at house party
University of Utah sophomore cornerback Aaron Lowe was shot to death early Sunday at a house party in Salt Lake City.
The football player was 21.
His death comes less than a year after his friend and teammate Ty Jordan was killed in an accidental shooting on Christmas 2020.
Lowe died on the scene, and an unidentified woman was in critical condition, Salt Lake City police told ESPN.
It started with a noise complaint police received at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN reported, then a second call at 12:20 a.m. Sunday about a fight with a weapon involved. No arrests have been made.
School officials expressed their shock and condolences.
“We are devastated to hear about the passing of Aaron Lowe,” said Utes coach Kyle Whittingham in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Aaron’s family and friends, along with the other individual who was harmed in this tragic incident. Aaron was a great teammate, friend, brother and son and was loved by anyone who crossed paths with him. He will be deeply missed.”
Lowe was killed just a few hours after the Utes beat Washington State 24-13, The Associated Press reported. The defensive back was in his third season at Utah, ESPN said. He played in each of the first four Utes games this season.
“Aaron was a terrific young man, a leader on our football team, and a rock of resiliency and courage, Utah director of athletics Mark Harlan said. “Our prayers are with Aaron’s family, friends, teammates and all who knew and loved him. We also express our deepest concern for the other individual who has been hospitalized as a result of this tragic incident.”
He added that the school had been in contact with Lowe’s family and were “providing support to them” and to the student-athletes, coaches and staff in all the school’s athletics programs.
Lowe and Jordan were high school teammates in Mesquite, Texas, and after the 19-year-old Jordan’s death on Christmas night 2020, Lowe switched his jersey from No. 2 to 22 to honor his friend.
Lowe was named the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, voted on by the team, last month.
“Ty made everyone around him better,” Lowe said after receiving the honor in August. “He made me better. My friendship with Ty means a lot because he was always pushing me to be my best. He never let me settle for less. I want to make sure his legacy lives on through me.”
With News Wire Services
