Trabis Ward, the former Tennessee State University standout running back, was shot and killed on October 10.
The murder happened in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida near J&L Liquors at 12:30 am.
Ward died in the parking lot of the store.
He was reportedly the victim of a robbery.
To date, no suspects have been arrested.
Rest In Peace to literally one of The Greatest running backs ever in TSU history. I’m truly hurt by this because I remember watching him play when I was little and he was an all around superstar. Life Is Too Short…
You will be missed, Trabis Ward. 💙🙏🏾#Tiger4Life 🐅 pic.twitter.com/9vdLMCn9O9
— Barstool TSU (@BarstoolBigBlue) October 10, 2020
Ward Was Well Known In The Area
Trabis Ward grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He was a father of 3 children and was well known in the area largely from his football successes at Diller High School.
Ward went on to play college football at Tennessee State and had a brief stint with the St. Louis Rams in 2003.
#DidYouKnow: Trabis Ward was a beast on the field and won a lot of hearts with his personality and smile.
The All-American rushed for 2,582 yards while in blue and white and ranks fourth in 🐯🏈 career rushing yards. #BigBlueRising pic.twitter.com/IqI5Ntounv
— Tennessee State Football (@TennStateFB) October 13, 2020
Authorities Believe Witnesses Were On The Scene
Ward’s body was reportedly stripped of his jewelry.
His grandmother, Doris DeBerry, is disappointed that no one has come forward to provide information despite authorities believing there were witnesses.
Police believe those witnesses ran for cover once shots were fired.
“Shame on you — you’ve had time to call the authorities and tell them who it was.”
DeBerry went on to explain why Ward was at the liquor store.
“He was taking people there to buy their liquor.”
Police are actively searching for the shooter.
There is a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the shooter’s arrest.
Witnesses are asked to call Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives Samantha Cottam at 954-321-4544, Phillip Reynolds at 954-321-4210 or Broward Crime Stoppers on 954-493-TIPS (8477).
Online tips can be submitted to BrowardCrimeStoppers.org.
An armed robbery occurred at the same location about 1 1/2 years ago, and it was captured on surveillance video.
Police are not saying if there is also surveillance video of Ward’s murder.
Ward Was Once Called “The Next Marshawn Lynch”
Trabis Ward chose Tennessee State University over Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina who also showed interest in him.
During his courting with UNC, he was nicknamed, “The Next Marshawn Lynch”.
Ward ended up playing 3 years at TSU from 2009-2012.
The statistics from his junior year put him in the discussion as being one of the best college football players in the country in 2012.
Ward rushed for 1,460 yards and 15 touchdowns during that 2012 season.
He left college early for the 2013 NFL Draft.
When he left TSU, his former coach Rod Reed said:
“We needed him back and I thought that he needed another year. But I’m sure he’ll catch somebody’s eye in the NFL and hopefully, he can catch on somewhere.”
Ward never was able to replicate his collegiate success in the NFL and only had a brief stint with the St. Louis Rams in 2013.
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