Former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton Dies From Accidental Gunshot At 26
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Former Indianapolis Colts running back Zurlon Tipton died in Michigan on Tuesday after accidentally shooting himself, the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office announced. He was 26.
Former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton Dies From Accidental Gunshot
FOX2 in Detroit reported, via Roseville police, that Tipton pulled into a local car dealership Tuesday morning and removed a duffel bag from his trunk. Inside the bag were two guns and police said one of them went off with the bullet striking the running back in the stomach.
“The department has been notified by staff at St John Hosp., that the individual that suffered the gunshot wound has passed away due to his injuries,” Roseville Police Deputy Chief Donald Glandon wrote in a statement Tuesday. “Condolences to the family.”
Tipton was reportedly speaking to people on the scene before being transported to the hospital. Response to the crisis inside the dealership was quick, said Mark DeMara — general manager of Mike Riehl’s Roseville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership– who arrived on the scene within a minute of the shooting.
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“It was pretty well-controlled,” DeMara said. “We have a salesperson here who was a former fire department chief, so he was actually the first responder.”
He also added that police, fire and ambulance officials arrived within minutes.
The incident is being treated as an “accidental discharge.” An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
Tipton, who was arrested on a gun charge last December, played 16 games with the Colts over the past two years after being signed to the team as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan in 2014. Police allegedly found a loaded 9mm handgun and a loaded Colt AR-15 assault rifle in Tipton’s car just before last Christmas in Greenwood, Indiana.
During his career at Central Michigan, he rushed for 2,463 yards on 461 carries with 34 touchdowns.
He was waived near the end of last season and was not on any NFL roster this offseason.
Colts players, including wide receiver Donte Moncrief and long snapper Matt Overton, and team owner Jim Irsay shared their condolences on social media:
Moncrief wrote: “Baby boy you gone but not forgotten.. Lil bro gone hold it down for you and remember the motto.. “Don’t wait for it go and get it.” It’s crazy I just got that phone call bro cause I just talk to you and we talked about the future and teams giving you your second chance. No matter where I’m at or what team I’m on ill have that 37 on my wrist or glove. I’m go make sure your “little mama” good as in what you would say. Go up there and be the best running back in heaven. Rest easy 37!!!! Crazy you gone this early. My next vehicle gone be a jeep Brodie I promised you that and I won’t break that promise. All love this way. I never told you but most of my family from Detroit mane never know we could have been blood cousins you know how that goes. “Little Mama” gone be good I promise you Brodie. You in a better place one love. #flyhigh37″
PHOTO: ANN ARBOR, MI – AUGUST 31: Zurlon Tipton #34 of the Central Michigan Chippewas gets pumped up after the National Anthem prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on August 31, 2013 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Article by Pablo Mena
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