Utah football player shot, killed at house party after game, police say

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Utah football player shot, killed at house party after game, police say image

Utah sophomore cornerback Aaron Lowe was shot and killed early Sunday at a house party following the Utes' 24-13 win over Washington State, according to multiple reports.

The Salt Lake City Police Department said the shooting occurred at roughly midnight, leaving Lowe, 21, dead. Another was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Police are still searching for a suspect, but believe several witnesses saw what happened.

Lowe, in his third season with the Utes football program, played 11 games on special teams as a freshman in 2019. He played in five games in the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020, and also saw action in three games this year.

Lowe changed jersey numbers ahead of the 2021 season, going from No. 2 to No. 22 in memory of Ty Jordan, not only a Utah teammate, but also Lowe's best friend who played football with him in high school. Jordan died in December as a result of an accidental shooting. Lowe was the first recipient of the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship, an award created to honor Jordan.

“Ty made everyone around him better,” Lowe said after receiving the scholarship (via Salt Lake City TV Station KTVX). “He made me better. My friendship with Ty means a lot because he was always pushing me to be my best. He never let me settle for less. I want to make sure his legacy lives on through me.”

Both Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and athletic director Mark Harlan released statements following news of Lowe's death:

Said Whittingham: "We are devastated to hear about the passing of Aaron Lowe. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aaron's family and friends, along with the other individual who was harmed in this tragic incident. Aaron was a great teammate, friend, brother and son and was loved by anyone who crossed paths with him. He will be deeply missed."

And Harlan: "We are devastated by the loss of Aaron Lowe earlier this morning. Aaron was a terrific young man, a leader on our football team, and a rock of resiliency and courage. Our prayers are with Aaron's family, friends, teammates and all who knew and loved him.

"We also express our deepest concern for the other individual who has been hospitalized as a result of this tragic incident. We have been in communication with Aaron's family and we are providing support to them, as well as to the student-athletes, coaches and staff in all of our athletics programs, and our focus will remain on them."

Several of Lowe's teammates reacted to the news on social media:

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.