Ex-football player Ward shot, killed, police say
Authorities say former TSU running back was shot outside Lauderdale Lakes liquor store
Prayers poured in overnight for the family of former Tennessee State University running back Trabis Ward, who was shot outside a Lauderdale Lakes liquor store early Saturday morning. Police continue to search for witnesses and suspects.
Police found Trabis, a 31-year-old father of three, was found on the ground with a gunshot wound when they arrived at J & L Liquors at 3875 N.W. 19th St. about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Ward was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Social media filled with posts over the last 24 hours from friends and teammates who remembered Ward for his determination and statements such as: “Ain’t no redshirting me.” Ward had attended Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale and played college football with the Tennessee State Tigers between 2009 and 2013. In 2013, Ward would go on to join the St. Louis Rams.
The Tennessee Tigers tweeted: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Tiger Trabis Ward. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, teammates and coaches.”
Ward’s grandmother Doris De-
Berry told Channel 10 her grandson was just trying to earn a living and was at the liquor store with a party bus he had recently purchased.
“He was taking people there to buy their liquor,” DeBerry told the TV news station.
About 1 1⁄ years ago an
2 armed robbery was captured on surveillance video outside the same liquor store in Lauderdale Lakes. It’s unclear at this time whether surveillance video also captured the Ward shooting.
Broward County Sheriff’s detectives said there was a crowd of people who witnessed the shooting. So far, no one has come forward.
Investigators are asking any witnesses with information about the shooter to contact Broward Sheriff’s homicide detectives Samantha Cottam at 954-321-4544 or Phillip Reynolds at 954-321-4210.
Anonymous tips can be given to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or online at browardcrimestoppers.org Tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 from Crime Stoppers.