A high school football star preparing to play for West Virginia as the top recruit in his county’s history has been killed in a shooting, police have confirmed.
Chris Wilson Jr, 17, was playing in his final season for Yorktown High School and preparing for Division 1 college football next fall when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday night.
Police were called to the scene in Muncie, a city 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis, shortly before 3am on Monday morning, where Wilson was declared dead.
He was found inside a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds, though no further information has yet been revealed as to the circumstances behind the shooting.
Wilson Jr played defensive end for his high school and was a four-star recruit for West Virginia in the Class of 2027, with an exciting chapter of his football career ahead of him.
In a letter released to local families, Yorktown Community Schools wrote: ‘Dear YCS Families, With great sadness, I share that Chris Wilson, a senior at Yorktown High School, died tragically early this morning.
Chris Wilson Jr was killed in a shooting just four months after committing to West Virginia
Wilson (R) was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene
‘His family has given us permission to share this news. Chris was a valued member of our school, our football team, and our community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates.
‘Muncie Police are leading the investigation, and Yorktown Police have confirmed there is no threat to our students or schools. Your student may hear this news over break. Please check in with them, listen, and let us know if they need support.
‘Our counselors will be available when school resumes. If your student needs immediate help, call or text 988. Please keep Chris’s family in your hearts.’
Wilson Jr committed to play for West Virginia in June, and is listed by 247 Sports as the school’s third highest-ranked player in next year’s class.
He was ranked No 29 in the country in his position, and the sixth best high school player in the state of Indiana.
Wilson Jr was also given offers by Iowa State, Cincinnati, Auburn and national champion Indiana, per 247 Sports, before he eventually committed to the Mountaineers.
