Remembering HU's Theo Smalling

HAMPTON, Va. - Hampton University  students, faculty and basketball teammates of team captain Theo Smalling honored Smalling at a memorial service on campus Thursday.

Following Smalling's death Monday evening, students are sharing their thoughts on what has been called a devastating loss which came out of a "senseless accident."

"He's in one of my classes and...everyday, I always look back and say 'Hi Theo, how was your weekend?' and yesterday when he wasn't there it was just so weird," said Hampton University (HU) junior Lauren Legette through tears.

Legette says she and some friends were with Smalling Friday night. "He was great. It was his birthday. He was so happy. He was just so nice, so happy," laughed Legette.

Investigators say early Saturday morning Smalling and two friends pulled up to Fusions Club off of Mercury Boulevard, but before they could go inside, police say 21-year-old Dominique Smith "mishandled a gun," accidentally shooting Smalling in the stomach.

"It's just really sad," said Legette. A Hampton Police affidavit for search warrant shows the three got back in the car and "started driving to the hospital" but "they got lost and told police they were in several locations" before stopping near 2000 Power Plant Parkway in Hampton, where police found them.

Smalling's loss has been felt across campus at HU. In a news release sent to WAVY.com, Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey said, "Theo was the model for the term student athlete. He was a terrific student and an all-star athlete. In addition, he was actively involved in a great deal of community service. I and the Hampton University family will truly miss him."

"This is a devastating loss for our community," added HU Men's Basketball Head Coach Edward Buck Joyner. "He was a great young man who was an asset to Hampton University on and off the court. Not only was he the captain and leader of our team, but the backbone of our team. He will be with us in our hearts and minds when we step on the court."

Lonza Hardy, Jr., Athletic Director said, "We are all deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Theo. A student athlete we saw grow and mature into an individual who made us all proud."

On Monday night at around 8:45, investigators say Smalling died at Riverside Hospital in Newport News.

"It's a devastating loss for Hampton," said Senior Class President Christian Cheairs. Cheairs said the University is planning a tribute for Smalling. "We just want to honor his life. We don't want to focus on the tragedy that happened this weekend," he said.

"I think that Theo...is a leader and I'm just really, really going to miss the friend that I had," added Legette.

"That's just sad," freshman Kingsly Madu told WAVY.com, "[Smalling] was a real big part of this campus. Hopefully people learn and look to him as an example of how to be a Hampton man." Madu said word of the shooting went viral throughout the social networking site Facebook. "It was as bad as if I had heard it from a family member," Madu said.

Another student, Philip Faxio, said he had classes with Smalling in the past. "He was a better basketball player than me,' he said, "when we went to class together, he always kept it cool." When asked how college students deal with this kind of tragedy. Faxio responded, "It's life, campus doesn't exclude you from reality. You just have to be careful I guess."

Several students could be seen walking to classes with somber looks and heavy heads. A few who said they knew Smalling said they were too upset to talk publicly.

Hampton University's Website lists Smalling as a senior majoring in sports management, who plays forward.

A tribute to Smalling originally scheduled for Tuesday at the Holiday Inn on Mercury Blvd. has been canceled. A memorial service for Smalling will now be held on Thursday, October 29, at noon, in the Hampton University Convocation Center.

Dominique Smith is charged with one count of Reckless Handling of a Firearm. Hampton Police Corporal Paula Ensley tells WAVY.com, because Smalling passed away, the Commonwealth's Attorney will have to look at all of the evidence before deciding if any more charges will be filed. She says Smith is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Fore more information on Theo Smalling's HU Basketball career, CLICK HERE.