Josh Williams, Former Oregon State LB, Dies at Age 24

Former Oregon State Beavers linebacker Josh Williams died Tuesday in Inglewood, California, per Danny Moran of the Oregonian.

According to City News Service (h/t the Daily Breeze), authorities responded to a report of a shooting and found Williams, 24, at the scene with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.   

"It's just difficult right now to understand why this stuff happens," said Angelo Jackson, who coached Williams at Salesian High School in Los Angeles, per Moran. "He was always smiling and a loving person."

Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker, who was one of Williams' teammates in Corvallis, mourned his death:

Williams played in four games as a true freshman 2011 at Oregon State but was suspended indefinitely during his sophomore year for a violation of team rules. Then-head coach Mike Riley dismissed Williams from the team ahead of the 2013 season, and he transferred to Kentucky State, where he played 12 games between 2014 and 2015.