Hampton basketball captain dies in Va. shooting

Oct 27, 2:51 pm EDT

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HAMPTON, Va. (AP)—A Hampton University basketball player has died from what police call an accidental shooting outside a nightclub.

Theo Smalling of Tampa, Fla., died Monday night, according to a university statement Tuesday.

Police said the 22-year-old team captain was shot in the abdomen early Saturday in the parking lot of a nightclub after another man mishandled a firearm.

Police have charged 21-year-old Dominique Devon Smith with reckless handling of a firearm. They could not say if he has an attorney. Police are awaiting autopsy results.

HU basketball coach Ed Joyner called Smalling’s death a “devastating loss.” Hampton President William R. Harvey described him as a “model” student-athlete.

A campus memorial in Smalling’s memory was planned Thursday night.

On the Web:

Hampton University Athletics: http://www.hamptonpirates.com/

Updated Oct 27, 2:51 pm EDT
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17 Comments

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  1. <i>blackpepperspray</i>
    17. Posted by blackpepperspray Thu Oct 29 2:48am EDT

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    You same people that talk negative about this kid miss the point a young man is dead and he will never see or reach his full worth in this world. Also to put a stop to this madness as some of you have stated let me ask you this, if you own a handgun then don't throw stones from your glass houses and support gun control instead of hiding under the right to bear arms. No GUNS No DEATHS then and all of us will be able to walk in our nieghborhoods without fear of being shot or killed. I'm 49 from COMPTON, CA born and raised there so maybe I know a bit more then you would give me credit for...

    Kevin A. Reece
    Head Coach
    Brunei National Basketball Team
  2. Kcks
    16. Posted by Kcks Wed Oct 28 11:00pm EDT

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    #15 Just because he was at a night club which all athletes do anyhow, dosen't mean his murder was justified..
  3. Chuck A
    15. Posted by Chuck A Wed Oct 28 9:00pm EDT

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    The local newspaper said one of the charges was "carrying a firearm by a convicted felon." Why is a "model student-athlete" hanging our at midnight with a convicted felon?
  4. <i>gjcnk</i>
    14. Posted by gjcnk Wed Oct 28 3:50pm EDT

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    Real sad to see another young man die for no reason. Just no sense to having a firearm in a place like this.
  5. matt
    13. Posted by matt Wed Oct 28 2:09pm EDT

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    As a Uconn fan who has just gone through the lost of a student athlete I am very sorry for your schools loss. I will pray for him and his family and friends. There always is a light at the end of the tunnel, its just hard to see sometimes.
  6. VincentM
    12. Posted by VincentM Wed Oct 28 1:29pm EDT

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    Not to sound insensitive, but should a “model” student-athlete be hanging out at clubs late at night where firearms are being carried and more importantly discharged by its patrons? Sorry to the family and the school, but practices for the season had already started. A model student-athlete should be focusing on school and the sport he/she is playing especially in-season and not going out to clubs where weapons are present.
  7. Jim
    11. Posted by Jim Wed Oct 28 12:07pm EDT

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    As a UCONN fan, I wanted to express my condolences to the Smalling family, the Hampton University basketball team and to the entire Hampton community. We have just been through a similar ordeal, and we offer our support.
  8. <i>tomgmba</i>
    10. Posted by tomgmba Wed Oct 28 6:25am EDT

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    At the University of Connecticut we recently experienced something similar. My heart goes out to those who knew this young man.

    Meredith is correct. This needs to stop.
  9. Al
    9. Posted by Al Wed Oct 28 1:42am EDT

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    Peace out!
  10. BruinSeer
    8. Posted by BruinSeer Wed Oct 28 1:41am EDT

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    Why do people carry guns? I guess to use them - what else? As if a life was just a thing.
  11. K- DAWG
    7. Posted by K- DAWG Tue Oct 27 11:03pm EDT

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    I drive 12 hours to go to Hampton every year on vacation. So i really feel bad.
  12. Kj
    6. Posted by Kj Tue Oct 27 8:28pm EDT

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    Had he NOT have had a gun, this would NOT have happened...no matter how inept he was/is. All you nra types always say that it's not the gun.Do you ever notice all the young people that are killed because of them while you keep saying that. Seems to happen more now than ever, but they "need" the guns I guess...if only they were harder to obtain.
  13. <i>corvette1992@...</i>
    5. Posted by corvette1992@... Tue Oct 27 6:40pm EDT

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    Carrying a firearm isn't the problem the problem is the Idiots that do not have the nessesary training that goes with the responibility. Besides there is not enough information in the piece.
  14. Dikembo A
    4. Posted by Dikembo A Tue Oct 27 4:34pm EDT

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    sad..........truly sad to hear
  15. Terry
    3. Posted by Terry Tue Oct 27 4:05pm EDT

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    What they need to do is stop carrying guns.....just because you can doesn't mean you have to have one. and if you have one, you tend to be more brazen.....and that leads to .........usually something very bad.......stabbings and shootings.....usually around clubs......stay out of the club and concentrate on school....there is plenty of time to party after you graduate.......this country has become one of instant gratification.......and if you get pissed off just pop a cap in em'
    I'm 41 and the worst thing I had to worry about is a fist fight.......now young people just want to kill instead......its a shame........a crying shame......a kid cannot even play in the front yard without worrying about someone snatching em' up doing god knows what to them and then dumping the body like a load of trash....leaving the family to deal with the pain.......THE INSANITY HAS GOT TO STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!
  16. Terry
    2. Posted by Terry Tue Oct 27 4:05pm EDT

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    What they need to do is stop carrying guns.....just because you can doesn't mean you have to have one. and if you have one, you tend to be more brazen.....and that leads to .........usually something very bad.......stabbings and shootings.....usually around clubs......stay out of the club and concentrate on school....there is plenty of time to party after you graduate.......this country has become one of instant gratification.......and if you get pissed off just pop a cap in em'
    I'm 41 and the worst thing I had to worry about is a fist fight.......now young people just want to kill instead......its a shame........a crying shame......a kid cannot even play in the front yard without worrying about someone snatching em' up doing god knows what to them and then dumping the body like a load of trash....leaving the family to deal with the pain.......THE INSANITY HAS GOT TO STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!
  17. Meredith K
    1. Posted by Meredith K Tue Oct 27 3:34pm EDT

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    All these college athlete deaths need to stop
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