Cy-Falls HS and Oklahoma football standout Du'Vonta Lampkin dies at 25

DALLAS, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston-area high school football star who went on to play for the Oklahoma Sooners and had a short stint in the NFL was shot and killed in downtown Dallas.

Du'Vonta Lampkin was found wounded late Thursday night after he was not answering phone calls, the Dallas Police Department said.

According to investigators, a witness called for help after finding the 25-year-old with a single gunshot wound. First responders arrived and Lampkin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found that Lampkin was staying at the location where he was found, which was reported to be an Airbnb apartment, while waiting to move into a new apartment.

Lampkin was a defensive star at Cy-Falls High School. He originally signed to play at University of Texas, before he later transferred to University of Oklahoma.

"He was always checking on me," Starrland Baldwin, who followed an identical path to Lampkin's from Cy-Falls to Oklahoma, told ABC13. "I will remember him being like a big brother-type. He'd often offer advice and share his experiences to help others. He wanted the best for everyone around him."

For years, Doug Smith has invested his time in Houston-area student-athletes, teaching them about football and about life. He worked with Du'Vonta and currently trains his younger brother, Eddie. Smith says he's heard from several coaches since Du'Vonta's death.

"Everybody is just in shock," Smith admitted. "They all have the same thing to say about him: his smile, his attitude - how he approaching things in life. He enjoyed living every day."

"I was devastated," Smith added. :I broke down. Being one of the young men I worked so close with - I talked to him just about every day about life and everything. It's a tough pill to swallow."

The Sooners football program offered its condolences to Lampkin's family and friends.

"The OU Football family is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former player Du'Vonta Lampkin. Du'Vonta was full of life and spirit, was a supportive teammate and a joy to be around. Our sincerest thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with his family and loved ones," an OU tweet said.

Lampkin moved on to pursue his NFL dreams, going undrafted but playing with the Tennessee Titans for a short time in 2018.

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