University of Alabama running back Greg Bryant was declared brain dead Sunday after being found shot inside a car early Saturday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida, police confirmed. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide.
News reports on Saturday incorrectly said Bryant had died after the school released a statement mourning his death, but he remained in critical condition until about 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
Bryant, 21, had just joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was found shot in the driver's seat along with passenger Maurice Grover on Interstate 95 at around 4:45 a.m. Saturday. Bryant was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in critical condition along with Grover, 25, who only sustained minor injuries.
No witnesses had been identified and it was unclear what prompted the shooting, police said.
"We understand that our running back, Greg Bryant, is still fighting for his life in a Florida hospital following injuries he sustained in a shooting earlier today," said UAB's head football coach, Bill Clark, in a statement. "The condolences we expressed earlier today were based on information a family member at the hospital provided and gave us permission to release. We remain steadfast as a Blazer family in our prayers and support for Greg and his family at this difficult time."
Before joining UAB in January, Bryant played at Notre Dame and briefly at ASA College in Miami. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back had been suspended by the Irish in 2015 after being ruled academically ineligible. He had been living in a hotel in Miami prior to his move to UAB, he told Bleacher Report. "This past year has been the hardest part of my life," Bryant said. "Going from the luxurious life at Notre Dame and coming back home and living in the hood at Miami while playing JUCO, it's been real tough."
Bryant said he was buoyed by the opportunity to become a Blazer. "Somebody like me getting a degree where I come from is unheard of," he said.
Bryant, a native of Florida, was a five-star recruit out of high school who ran for 1,447 yards and 17 touchdowns in his senior year, the Palm Beach Post reported.
The incident happens not long after another tragedy at UAB. In 2015, former UAB defensive back Greg Maclin died from injuries received in car accident, AL.com noted.
This article has been updated to reflect Bryant's medical condition.
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