Florida A&M baseball player Dalton Harrell dies from accidental shooting in Bainbridge

Rory Sharrock, Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
Dalton Harrell was a baseball transfer at FAMU. He died of a gunshot wound on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Bainbridge, Ga.
Dalton Harrell was a baseball transfer at FAMU. He died of a gunshot wound on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Bainbridge, Ga.

Florida A&M baseball player Dalton Harrell, 21, died on Wednesday after an accidental shooting in Bainbridge, Ga.

According to Bainbridge Public Safety (BPS) officials, a group of friends was at Bainbridge Country Club on Country Club Road when a "freak accident" led to Harrell being shot in the chest in the parking lot.

The information posted on the BPS Facebook page cites the Bainbridge Public Safety Investigators worked with the assistance of Decatur County Sheriff's Office Investigators on the case.

The death was determined to be accidental and no arrests were made.

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FAMU baseball head coach Jamey Shouppe stated he and the entire team are "shook up" about the news.

"It's a very sad day for FAMU baseball, our coaches and players," Shouppe said.

"Dalton will be missed sorely. He was a great young man, a great baseball player, a great son to his parents and a great all-around person. He was going to be impactful for our team this year on the mound. He impacted a lot of guys in a short time at FAMU."

FAMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha followed up with prayerful words to Harrell's family.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the Harrell family. We are asking that all of Rattler Nation please keep the family and the baseball student-athletes in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Who was Dalton Harrell?

This Rattler was born on was born May 5, 2000 in Bainbridge to Bobby and Jennifer Stephens Harrell.

He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 2018.

The right-handed pitcher transferred to FAMU after playing at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. from 2019-21. This included a redshirt season last spring.

He participated with the Rattlers this year during fall practice.

Dalton Harrell was a pitcher at Andrew College before transferring to FAMU. He was killed in an accidental shooting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.
Dalton Harrell was a pitcher at Andrew College before transferring to FAMU. He was killed in an accidental shooting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

During his junior college days, Harrell appeared in 33 games with 17 starts for the Fighting Tigers. His career record is 3-4 with two saves.

The funeral is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. at Southwest Baptist Church on 1101 Faceville Highway in Bainbridge. The interment will follow at Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

There is a visitation on Saturday. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m.at Southwest Baptist Church.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dalton Harrell Scholarship, c/o Bainbridge High School, 1 Bearcat Blvd. Bainbridge, Ga. 39819.

Follow FAMU beat writer Rory Sharrock on Twitter @married2game1.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU pitcher Dalton Harrell dies in accidental shooting in Georgia