Local police are investigating the overnight shooting death of West Virginia football commit Chris Wilson Jr. in Muncie, Indiana.
According to authorities, Muncie Police Department emergency dispatchers received a report of shots fired at 2:59 a.m. Monday. Wilson, 17, was found in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead on the scene. An investigation into Wilson's death, first reported by the Star Press, is ongoing.
"The West Virginia Football program is heartbroken by the news of the tragic loss of Chris Wilson Jr. this morning," Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez said in a statement. "We really enjoyed getting to know Chris during the recruiting process. The WVU football program sends it[s] heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Chris' family in this difficult time."
Wilson emerged as a standout defensive end and a three-star prospect in the 2027 class at Indiana's Yorktown High School. A 6-foot-4, 235-pound defender, he recorded 25 tackles with four sacks and interception while leading the school to a Class 4A sectional title during his junior season in 2025. Wilson, who also competed as a discus thrower on Yorktown's track and field team, was credited with 12 tackles and a sack through five games this fall. Per ESPN rankings, he was the No. 11 overall recruit from the state of Indiana in the 2027 class.
Wilson held offers from more than a dozen Division I football programs when he committed to West Virginia over Auburn, Cincinnati and Purdue in June following an official visit with the Mountaineers.
Yorktown High School principal Stacey Brewer acknowledged Wilson's death in a message to parents and students Monday morning.
"With great sadness, I share that Chris Wilson, a senior at Yorktown High School, died tragically early this morning," Brewer wrote. "His family has given us permission to share this news. Chris was a valued member of our school, our football team, and our community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates."
Wilson began his senior year this fall as the fourth ranked of 24 prospects committed to West Virginia's 2027 class.
The Mountaineers (3-2) host Arizona on Saturday (noon ET, TNT).
