Jibri Bryan, Mercer Player Killed

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Mercer guard Jibri Bryan dies after being shot in head - The Mercer basketball program is mourning the loss of one of its players. Bears guard Jibri Bryan died Tuesday after being shot in the head with a pistol in Macon, Ga.

"The Mercer community is grieving the tragic death of graduate student Jibri Bryan, who has been part of the University family for six years," Mercer University president William D. Underwood said in a statement released Tuesday night. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bryan family."

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said the 23-year-old Bryan was found in the driver's seat of a Monte Carlo parked at a convenience store. Another man was critically wounded as well. Davis said the "callous" murder took place in "broad, open daylight."

"First and foremost, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Bryans," Mercer athletic director Jim Cole said. "The Mercer athletic family is deeply saddened by Jibri's passing. Jibri was always cheerful and greeted everyone in the department with a smile. He will not only be missed by his basketball family but by all of us in the University Athletic Department."

Investigators told the Macon Telegraph they don’t know what led to the shooting, but have "some good leads" as to who the gunman is. Authorities said the incident was recorded by security cameras outside the store.

Bryan, a Savannah native, played one minute in Mercer’s 85-70 win over Samford on Monday night. The senior averaged 3.2 points in six games this season after starting all 35 games last season.

"Jibri Bryan was a special young man who was a great contributor to our team and did everything that was asked of him," Mercer coach Bob Hoffman said. "He was important to us in every way. I loved him and cared about him from the very first time he was on our campus. We grew to be very close over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his special family."