Indoor football player Jordan Jones was killed Saturday while working security at a bar in Acworth, Georgia.
Jones, 28, was reportedly trying to break up a fight outside the bar after seeing a man assault a woman. After Jones calmed down the situation, 25-year-old Daniel Di Vonne Parsons allegedly shot him in the parking lot.
The Acworth Police Department arrived on the scene around 2:40 a.m. Saturday and found Jones suffering from the gunshot wound.
They rushed him to local Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Parsons is charged with murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time,” the police department said in a statement.
Following the news of his death, Jones’ friends and family have spoken out, calling him a “big brother figure,” “gentle giant” and “hero.”
“It kind of feels like a nightmare that I’m just kind of waiting to wake up from,” Jalen Virgil, Jones’ longtime friend, told Fox 5 Atlanta.
“He was a hero. He was a gentle giant. He lit up the room when he walked in,” added K’Maron Patterson, another of Jones’ friends. “He was a big guy, so you knew if anybody needed help, he was going to be the one to step in.”
Before his death, Jones was in the midst of his career as a linebacker in the Indoor Football League, where he spent time with the Tulsa Oilers and San Antonio Gunslingers. He was set to play for the Michigan Arsenal this season.
He also played college football at West Alabama from 2016-19, finishing his four-year career with 211 tackles, 17 sacks and five forced fumbles. He was a consistent defensive cornerstone in his last three years, setting career highs with six sacks in 2017 and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2019.
“Jordan was a remarkable young man whose talent, drive, and character stood out from the moment we connected with him. We were truly looking forward to welcoming him to our training camp and watching him grow within our organization,” Arsenal owner George Bradford said in a statement to Fox 5.
“A talented player and respected competitor, Jordan left a lasting mark on the league and those who had the privilege of knowing him,” the IFL added.