Investigators in Florida are now offering a $10,000 reward for information that will help lead them to the person who killed a Kennesaw State University quarterback.
In a statement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said it hopes the reward will encourage someone to come forward and identify the suspects in the death of 18-year-old Ladarius Clardy. The sheriff’s office also said it is seeking details about a car that was used in the fatal shooting and the people who were inside it at the time.
Kennesaw State students held a vigil Monday night in memory of the sophomore, who was found shot to death in a car near his hometown of Pensacola early Thursday morning.
Clardy’s car had taken heavy gunfire and been struck by at least 50 rounds, Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons said during a news conference. Clardy, who was in the driver’s seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 19-year-old passenger who was found in the car with Clardy was taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
The sheriff’s office previously released the names of three men wanted for questioning. Authorities said 20-year-old Taziah Dekal McHenry, 19-year-old Melvin Douglas Hester III and 19-year-old Nicholas Joseph Wells may have information about Clardy’s death, but did not specify how they are believed to be connected to the case.
Authorities on Tuesday released photos of a black 2014 Ford Fusion they said was used in the homicide.
“The car has been located and seized, but investigators want to know more about its whereabouts before and during the homicide,” the sheriff’s office said.
Clardy played in two games at KSU during the truncated 2020 season, according to the football team’s website. He previously played at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola.
“We are devastated and heartbroken over the death of Ladarius Clardy,” KSU head football coach Brian Bohannon said in a statement released by the university. “Ladarius was an excellent teammate and left a mark on this program with his positive attitude. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ladarius’ family at this difficult time.”
The university will offer grief counseling in support of its student-athletes, the statement said.
“This is not just a statistic,” Simmons said. “This is a son. This is a friend. This is a teammate, and enough is enough.”
Students may access on-campus counseling services by emailing counseling@kennesaw.edu to schedule an appointment.
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