Wed May 07 19:30:00 UTC 2025: **Former College Football Star Avantae Williams Arrested and Charged with Second-Degree Murder**

DELAND, FL – Avantae Williams, a former highly touted college football safety who played for the University of Miami and the University of Maryland, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred over the weekend. The 24-year-old Williams, a DeLand native, was taken into custody on Monday without incident.

According to DeLand Police, officers responded to a shooting at a local bar early Saturday morning. A fight broke out inside the establishment, escalating to gunfire. 32-year-old Keshod Harris of DeLand was fatally wounded, and a bartender sustained injuries. Witnesses identified Williams as the shooter.

Williams, a former five-star recruit, had a controversial collegiate career. He was dismissed from the Miami Hurricanes football team in 2021 following an arrest on aggravated battery charges, though those charges were later dropped. He was reinstated but served a suspension before transferring to Maryland. He played in four games for the Terrapins during the 2023 season.

Williams is currently being held without bond awaiting further court proceedings. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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