College football player shot, killed in ‘random act of violence’ early Sunday
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tragedy struck the Charleston Southern football team on Sunday as the university announced the shooting death of true freshman Lorvens Florestal.
According to the release, Florestal was outside a home in the West Ashley neighborhood during the overnight hours when he was struck by a bullet and died. A Charleston police officer attempted to perform CPR on him but was unsuccessful.
No further details were reported, other than the fact that it was a “random act of violence” and that a search for the gunman continued.
“According to the CSU football coaching staff, Florestal’s dream was to play college football and work hard to help his parents who immigrated from Haiti to give them all a better life,” the release stated.
“He appreciated life and appreciated what he had,” Charleston Southern defensive backs coach Tavarius Jackson said. “Lorvens was a kid that no matter what someone else was going through or what he was going through, if it was his last of anything, he’d give it to you. He was always caring for others.”
Florestal played for Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Fla., and was a former all-state defensive end. He walked on to the Buccaneers football team prior to the start of the season.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
