Former Louisiana State University wide receiver and NFL Draft entrant Kyren Lacy was found deceased at age 24 after a vehicle chase and crash in the Houston area late Saturday night. Lacy, a promising athlete who led LSU in touchdown receptions last season, appeared to suffer a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the pursuit, which followed after deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on his car. This information comes from a statement by the Harris County Sheriff's Office, as reported by FOX7 Austin.

The incident began when a verbal dispute between Lacy and a family member led to him discharging a firearm into the ground. Attempting to take him into custody, authorities spotted Lacy's car, prompting a chase upon his refusal to stop. According to a news release, the chase ended with Lacy's car crashing near Spring, Texas. Responding deputies discovered Lacy with the fatal wound upon extracting him from the vehicle. LSU acknowledged the tragedy by expressing condolences, stating, "We're saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy," further noted by USA Today.

An investigation into the events leading up to Lacy's death is ongoing and will be reviewed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Additionally, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Prior to the incident, Lacy was facing criminal charges related to a deadly crash in Louisiana that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall, which he was accused of fleeing.

In a heartrending note posted to Facebook, Kyren's father, Kenny Lacy, implored his community to take the issue of mental health seriously. "This has to be the biggest pill our families have had to swallow, but I know the love and compassion in our families will get us through. This will never get easier, but we'll learn to live with it," Kenny wrote, underscoring the grief and shock experienced by those close to Kyren.