HUNTINGTON — Huntington police say they have a suspect and an arrest is imminent in the shooting death of a former Marshall University football player on 4th Avenue in downtown Huntington early Saturday morning.
Donte D. Newsome, who played linebacker and fullback for the Thundering Herd between 2002-2005, died from multiple gunshot wounds at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was 25.
Police Chief Skip Holbrook identified two others also injured as former Marshall football player Curtis Keyes, 24, and Kanawha County resident Jerel Garner, 28. Both were transported to St. Mary’s, but Holbrook said their injuries were not life-threatening. Holbrook said Keyes was treated and released from the hospital.
The shooting happened at about 3 a.m. in front of Fluid night club at 611 4th Ave. Holbrook said the shooting stemmed from an verbal altercation that occurred inside the night club.
“All indications are that there was some exchange of words inside the club, and it did spill over outside, obviously, and it escalated,” Holbrook said. “We certainly know (the suspect) had (the gun) once he got outside, but at this time there’s no evidence to indicate it was in the club.”
He added, “We recognize that we have some issues sometimes with these clubs all letting out at the same time, that’s a large number of people all empty out onto 4th Avenue. Often times people have been drinking throughout the evening and tempers flare, and there’s a lot of lip service back and forth.”
A representative of Fluid stressed that the shooting occurred outside the business and the club has no control over what happens in the public streets.
“We at Fluid Nightclub would like to take this opportunity to extend our regrets and deepest condolences to the family of Donte Newsome after (Saturday’s) senseless act of violence,” said the club’s media relations representative Portria Short in a prepared press release. “We are commited to doing anything within our our power to cooperate with law enforcement to bring his shooter to justice. We have been in the past and will be in the future 100 percent committed to the safety of our friends and extended family of patrons.”
Holbrook said police have recovered a weapon believed to have been used in the shooting and investigators expect to have a suspect in custody after they finish collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The road remained blocked off to traffic along 4th Avenue between 6th and 7th streets Saturday as investigators continued to survey the crime scene. The street was littered with yellow cards, marking points of interest or evidence. Witnesses are still being interviewed, police said.
Originally from Chesapeake, Va., Newsome also played at least two seasons with the Huntington Heroes indoor football team.
This year, Newsome was playing for the Amarillo Dusters in the Arena Football 2 league where he had scored 11 touchdowns in eight games, according to the team’s Web site. Former Marshall defensive back Terick Thomas is also on the team.
“We are shocked to hear about what happened last night,” said Randy Burnside, sports information director with the Marshall Athletic Department. “On behalf of the athletic department, our thoughts and prayers are with the Newsome family and the families of the others who were injured.”
The Dusters were on a bye week when the shooting occurred.
Friends had already started a “R.I.P. Donte Newsome” page on Facebook.com Saturday.
Newsome played under both current MU football coach Mark Snyder and former coach Bob Pruett.
“I did know (Newsome),” Burnside said. “In my dealings with him, he was always a ‘Yes sir, no sir’ kind of guy.
“I hope we can find out what happened, but obviously our main concern right now is for his family,” Burnside added. “It is a terrible, terrible tragedy.”
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