Former Louisiana State University wide receiver and NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy has died at age 24 following a police chase in Houston, Texas, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Officials stated that Lacy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the pursuit on April 12, 2025.
“Preliminary information indicates that Lacy shot himself during the pursuit and prior to the vehicle crashing,” sheriff’s officials reported. The incident began when police responded to a call from a female family member who claimed that she and Lacy had argued, during which he discharged a firearm into the ground.
When officers attempted to stop Lacy’s vehicle, he fled, leading to a chase that ended when his car crashed. When authorities approached the vehicle, they discovered Lacy had already sustained what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Lacy’s death occurred just two days before a grand jury was scheduled to hear his case regarding a December 17, 2024, car crash in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, that resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall. According to Louisiana State Police, the investigation revealed Lacy was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger at high speed on Louisiana Highway 20 near Perez Lane when he allegedly crossed the centerline in a designated no-passing zone while attempting to pass several vehicles.
This action caused another driver to swerve, resulting in a head-on collision between two other vehicles. Hall, a passenger in one of those vehicles and a retired customs officer, was transported to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. Two other individuals involved in the crash sustained moderate injuries.
Authorities stated that Lacy fled the scene without rendering aid or reporting the incident. He later turned himself in to law enforcement in January 2025 and was released on $151,000 bail after being charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death, and reckless operation of a vehicle.
Lacy’s attorney had expressed confidence that the grand jury would decline to pursue charges, describing the investigation as “an overzealous, targeted effort.” The lawyer stated that his client was “crushed under the weight of an irresponsible and prejudiced process,” that he termed “a witch hunt.” He further explained that the Lafourche Parish District Attorney had not formally charged Lacy despite his arrest, pending grand jury review.
Kenny Lacy, Kyren’s father, released an emotional statement following his son’s death, urging parents to have open conversations with their children about mental health. He emphasized the importance of not ignoring warning signs, even those that may seem insignificant. He expressed that their lives had changed forever and that while the situation would never be okay, he believed, “God needed my baby more than he was needed here.”
Just days after the December 2024 accident, Lacy had declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. He did not participate in LSU’s final game of the 2024 season. During his final collegiate season, Lacy had emerged as a standout performer for LSU, leading the team with nine receiving touchdowns and accumulating 58 catches for 866 yards.
Lacy began his college football career at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to LSU, where he developed into one of the top wide receiver prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. His performance during the 2024 season had positioned him as a potential selection in the draft scheduled for later this month.
The victim of the December crash, Herman Hall, was a 78-year-old former marine. His daughter, Heather Dickerson, had previously expressed her desire to ensure that Lacy would face appropriate consequences for his actions, voicing concerns that his status as an athlete might lead to preferential treatment in the legal system.
Louisiana State University released a statement expressing sadness regarding Lacy’s death and offering condolences to his family, teammates, and coaches. The university’s athletic department initially announced his passing without specifying the cause of death.
Rontrell Sandolph, a close friend of Lacy, paid tribute to him following the news of his death. Sandolph expressed disbelief and profound sadness over the loss of their shared aspirations – Lacy making it to the NFL while Sandolph pursued basketball opportunities overseas.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lacy’s death remains ongoing, as authorities continue to piece together the final moments leading to the apparent suicide.
