UAB freshman football player Allen Merrick, 19, dies after accidental shooting
Allen Merrick, a defensive back who joined the UAB roster this year, died early Friday at UAB Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound, AL.com reported. He was 19.
Coach Bill Clark released a statement asking for prayers for the incoming freshman before news of his death was released by police.
“Please pray for the family of Allen Merrick, a young man who joined our UAB Football Family this season. Allen was visiting home in Gadsden yesterday when he suffered a gunshot wound. He is at UAB Hospital where I’ve been with Allen’s family, but I do not have a condition I can share at this time. I ask that everyone please respect his family’s privacy and keep them all in your prayers.”
Merrick was visiting family in Gadsden, an hour northeast of the UAB campus. He has three siblings. It was an accidental shooting, police said via AL.com, though it is still under investigation. There were no more details about the incident.
He was named the Gadsden City’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and was a member of that season’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star team. He was ranked No. 50 in the class of Alabama by Rivals.com and was previously as high as No. 33. He chose UAB over FAU and Kentucky.
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