ROSEVILLE, Mich. -- Former Indianapolis Colts running back Zurlon Tipton died Tuesday in an apparent accidental shooting in Michigan.
Roseville, Michigan, police told RTV6 sister station WXYZ that a 26-year-old customer had pulled into the service bay at Mike Rhiel's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The man reportedly was placing something in his backpack when one of two guns inside went off, fatally striking him in the stomach.
The Wayne County (Michigan) Medical Examiner's Office told RTV6 that the man had been positively identified as Tipton.
Tipton was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He played two seasons for the Colts, accruing 38 yards in five rushing attempts and catching five passes for a total of 125 yards.
The news of Tipton's death moved quickly through social media, prompting responses from former teammates and fans in Indianapolis:
Rest in peace, Zurlon. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Tipton family.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) June 28, 2016
Ex #Colts RB Zurlon Tipton. Unbelievable. https://t.co/NjTJoWTtRl
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) June 28, 2016
#RIPLilBro #ZTip so sad!
— ROBERT MATHIS The1st (@RobertMathis98) June 28, 2016
No speech. No pulpit. Just don't understand the affinity with guns. Especially when you're out the hood - and not a hunter...
— Michael Grady (@Grady) June 28, 2016
Tipton was waived by the Colts in December 2015 shortly before he was arrested for allegedly firing an assault rifle outside his girlfriend's house in Greenwood.
PREVIOUS | Ex-Colt Zurlon Tipton arrested after firing shots outside girlfriend's house
Tipton was a graduate of the Sterling Heights Parkway Christian School in Central Michigan.
