Kyren Lacy of the LSU Tigers arrives at the stadium before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 26, 2024 in College Station, Texas.

Ella Hall/LSU/University Images via Getty Imag

Kyren Lacy, who starred as a wide receiver at LSU and had hoped to be drafted later this month, died Saturday night from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Harris County Sheriff’s Office incident report.

The gunshot wound was discovered after a police chase, which spanned several miles, ended in Lacy crashing his car. 

Lacy, 24, had been preparing for the NFL draft later this month. During his final season at LSU, he had become the Tigers’ top option and finished with 58 catches for 866 yards and nine touchdowns.

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It’s unclear why he was in Houston, but the incident report indicates that Lacy was involved in verbal argument with a family member late Saturday night. 

According to the report, Lacy shot his gun into the ground during the argument. He later left the scene in his car before police arrived.  

About 20 minutes later, at 11:35 p.m., a constable spotted Lacy in his car and tried to make a traffic stop, but Lacy didn’t stop.

The constable chased Lacy for several miles until he crashed near the 25900 block of Aldine Westfield Rd. 

When officers tried to remove Lacy from the car and arrest him, the report states, they noticed he had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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A handgun was later recovered from the car and emergency medical personnel pronounced Lacy dead on the scene.

Sheriff’s deputies believe Lacy shot himself during the chase, as body camera and dashcam footage did not show any shots being fired after he crashed, the report states. 

In a Facebook post, Kenny Lacy, Kyren’s father, urged young parents to check in with their children and make sure they are OK. 

“Mental Health is real, and for the most part, it’s invisible, don’t ignore the signs, even if they may seem small,” Lacy wrote. “Our lives have changed forever and this will never be ok, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here.

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“This has to be the biggest pill our families have had to swallow but I know the love and compassion in our families will get us through.”

Efforts to reach several family members for Lacy were unsuccessful. 

Lacy grew up in Thibodaux, La., and attended Thibodaux High School, where he was a three-star recruit, according to 247sports.

He had several offers, including one at the University of Houston, but chose to play his first two seasons at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

After two seasons at Louisiana, he transferred to LSU, where he teamed up with star quarterback Jayden Daniels, and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., who are all now in the NFL. 

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Daniels posted multiple tributes of Lacy on Instagram, including a video of Lacy congratulating him and Nabers on being drafted. Daniels said he had planned to do the same for Lacy. 

“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” LSU said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

Lacy participated in LSU’s pro day last month. He was projected to be taken on Day 3 of the draft. 

In December, Lacy was accused of causing a crash in Louisiana that killed a 78-year-old man, and later fleeing the scene without rendering aid or calling police. He was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle, according to several reports. 

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A grand jury was set to begin hearing evidence in the case Monday.

Lacy’s attorney Matthew Ory denied the charges in a statement released to the media, calling the investigation a “witch hunt.” 

“The decision by the investigating agency to charge him at all, in our view, was not only unjustified, it was disturbing,” Ory said. “It’s imperative to understand the Lafourche Parish District Attorney, to this day, has not formally charged Kyren.

“Kyren was a young man with immense promise, and he was crushed under the weight of an irresponsible and prejudiced process.”