A Tuskegee University football player was shot to death Friday night, and a suspect is now charged in his slaying.
Authorities identified the victim as Reginald Tyrone Summage Jr., 20. He was a graduate of Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery and was a sophomore wide receiver at Tuskegee University.
Tuskegee Police Chief Jennifer Jordan said officers responded at 11:50 p.m. to a report of a person shot at Washington Plaza in the 700 block of West Martin Luther King Highway.
When they arrived, they found Summage wounded in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Jordan said the incident began as a fist fight and ended in gunfire. Summage is believed to have been trying to break up the fight at an off-campus party when he was shot, but Jordan could not yet confirm the circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting.
Investigators on Saturday identified the suspect and took him into custody. Marquavius Lee Debro, 21, is charged with murder in the slaying of Summage.
Debro, who is not a student, is being held in the Macon County Jail on $150,000 bond.
A Facebook post by the Tuskegee University Alumni- Southeastern Region said Summage was a construction science management major, an honor roll student during the 2021 academic year and a star athlete for the Tuskegee Golden Tigers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Reginald’s family and friends,” Tuskegee University President Dr. Charlotte P. Morris was quoted as saying the post. “Losing such a young and talented member of our Golden Tiger family to a senseless act of violence is always tough. We extend our deepest condolences and support to all who loved him at this incredibly difficult time.”
Football coach and athletic director Reginald Ruffin said Summage was a model student-athlete, according to the post, and inspired his teammates and friends with optimism and care for others, according to the Facebook post.
“This up-and-coming Golden Tiger worked last season in the press box with us on The TU Digital Network, due to an injury and was fine young man,’’ the post stated. “His coaches said he was on his way back and looking forward to the upcoming season.”
