A former Texas Christian University football player was shot after an argument with his mother's boyfriend over a can of beer, according to Florida authorities. Lorenzo Jones, 22, was hospitalized after he was shot in the abdomen on June 30, according to the Broward County sheriff's office.
According to the Broward County sheriff's office, Jones, who was visiting his mom during a break from school, had gotten into an argument with his mom's boyfriend, Ricky Von Welch, at her apartment complex. Welch knocked a can of beer from Jones' hand and the two men, who were armed with folding knives, threatened to attack each other. At one point, the men dropped their knives, and Jones slapped Welch in the face, authorities said. Welch then went inside the apartment and got a handgun.
According to the sheriff's office, Jones said, “What are you going to do, shoot me?”
Jones was taken to Broward General Medical Center where the Miami Herald reported he was listed in critical condition last week. The hospital today did not immediately comment on whether Jones remained hospitalized.
Welch, 46, was accused of attempted murder a day after the incident and remained in custody this morning. No bail was set, according to the Broward County sheriff's Web site.
A backup defensive tackle, Jones was a standout at McKinney High School and one of TCU's top recruits in 2005.
Jones and two former TCU basketball players were accused of raping an 18-year-old student in her dorm room in October 2006. Jones, who was never indicted, spent 11 months in jail before the charge was dismissed.
