Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder

Virginia Tech linebacker Isi Etute was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The university has suspended the freshman.

A Virginia Tech player is facing murder charges in Blacksburg.

On Wednesday, the Blacksburg Police Department arrested freshman linebacker Isi Etute and charged him with second-degree murder.

Etute has been suspended by Virginia Tech from university and football activities.

“Blacksburg Police continues to lead this ongoing investigation, and the university will assist law enforcement agencies working the case in any way it can,” the school said in a release, per ESPN.

According to police, a male victim was discovered deceased during a welfare check on Tuesday night. Shortly after determining a homicide occurred, they arrested Etute. He is being held without bail in Montgomery County.

Virginia Tech linebacker Isi Etute was charged with second-degree murder

Etute was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021. He played linebacker for Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He ranked 39th among prospects in the state and 1,494th nationally, per 247Sports. He had scholarship offers from Appalachian State, East Carolina, Kent State and Liberty.

The outside linebacker committed to Virginia Tech last summer and enrolled for classes this spring as one of three freshman LBs added to the roster going into the 2021 season. He participated in spring camp, which ended on Apr. 15. He was supposed to compete for playing time down the line, with a head start as an early enrollee.

In the state of Virginia, all murders that don’t meet the qualifications for first-degree murder are considered second-degree murder. A conviction for second-degree murder is punishable by a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison.

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