21-year-old University of Alabama-Birmingham running back Greg Bryant was officially ruled dead on Sunday, according to reports from Israel Balders of CBS 12 via Bryant’s grandmother in Palm Beach.
The @WestPalmPD just sent out a notice stating the #GregBryant shooting investigation is now a homicide case @CBS12 https://t.co/cjUDVxjnIy
— J. Israel Balderas (@jisraelbalderas) May 8, 2016
Bryant, who died of gunshot wounds, was found in a car alongside Interstate 95 early Saturday morning with passenger Maurice Grover. Both were taken to the hospital, where Bryant spent time in critical condition. Grover was found to have received minor injuries in the incident.
West Palm Beach police stated Saturday evening that Bryant had still been alive at 4 p.m. ET, but the running back remained in critical condition and fighting for his life. UAB then prematurely released an original statement regarding Bryant’s death:
“We lost a member of our Blazer Family today with the senseless passing of Greg Bryant,” Clark said. “We were so excited to recruit Greg, welcome him to Birmingham and to UAB Football, and get to know him over the past several months. Greg was a very special talent and young man. He always had a smile on his face.
“While he was with us for a short time – too short – he was a big part of an exciting and historical time for our program and will always be a Blazer,” Clark said. “Greg worked extremely hard this spring on the field and in the classroom. He told me his GPA this semester was the highest he has had in his life, and he was very proud. The light really went on for him here, and he had a bright future ahead of him. We in the UAB community are all deeply saddened, and we are praying for Greg and his family. He and his family deserved much better than this, and we are heartbroken.”
The school later confirmed that their original statement was indeed premature, as Bryant continued to remain in critical condition.
#UAB spokesman just called to say Greg Bryant is still alive. Earlier, UAB issued statements that he died. Our prayers are w/ Greg & his fam
— Lauren Walsh Hamilton (@LaurenWalshTV) May 7, 2016
However, Bryant’s situation was unable to improve, and he was officially declared brain dead on Sunday. In the wake of Bryant’s death, the West Palm Beach police have classified the investigation as a homicide case.
Bryant was known as a decorated recruit in the 2013 class and originally started his career with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was ruled academically ineligible at Notre Dame last season, and decided to enroll as ASA Miami for a semester before signing with the Blazers in the spring. Bryant was 21.
