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Former Indiana defensive lineman Chris Beaty was shot and killed in Indianapolis on Saturday night, according to the Indianapolis Star. He was 38 years old.
The Cathedral product contributed on three state championship teams in high school before joining IU’s football program in 2000. He played for coaches Cam Cameron and Gerry DiNardo during his time in Bloomington, and remained an active presence with the athletic department long after his graduation.
On April 26, Beaty tweeted a screenshot of a Zoom call with Tom Allen, thanking the IU coach for taking time to speak with former players.
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Allen released a statement Monday morning:
“I am at a loss for words,” Allen said. “The news of the passing of Chris Beaty is just devastating. Since I returned home to coach at Indiana, Chris embraced me, encouraged me and supported me! His passion for life and Indiana football energized me every time we were together. He was one of our first alumni that displayed his unwavering support for what we are building here at Indiana and how we are building it. I am so heartbroken for his family and he will be deeply missed by all those that were blessed to call him a friend.”
Cameron also put out a statement on Monday afternoon:
“We are all heartbroken at the news about Chris,” Cameron said. “I think I can speak for everyone in our locker room as well as Indiana University, we all loved Chris. Chris was a great person and teammate, a leader, someone who always put others, black or white, before himself. Unfortunately, from what I’ve been told, it cost him his life as he was returning home from helping someone else get home safely during the riots before he was shot. He was everything we as Hoosiers hope to inspire in others. As a Hoosier myself, it saddens me to know we have lost one of the great young men from our own state. Someone who stood for everything we as Hoosiers believe is right. Our prayers go out to Chris, his family, his hometown of Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana. Chris, we love you and will miss you. God’s blessings.
According to The Star, Beaty suffered multiple gunshot wounds at Talbot and Vermont streets and died at the scene.
As word spread Sunday night, tributes and remembrances from those in the IU community and beyond began flooding Twitter:
R.I.P Chris Beaty
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) June 1, 2020
Was great guy, we had some good times at IU. You will be truly missed bro.
This is hitting close to home. Lost a good guy in Indy as he was shot last night downtown. RIP Chris Beaty. Praying for humanity right about now. “Violence will only increase the cycle of violence.”
— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) June 1, 2020
-Dalai Lama