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U.S.

UConn Football Player Killed After On-Campus Stabbing

By Fox News
Published | Updated

The starting cornerback for the University of Connecticut football team died on Sunday after an on-campus stabbing just hours after the team's victory over Louisville.

Jasper Howard, 20, was airlifted to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, FOX61 reported.

Howard was reportedly stabbed near the university’s student union at the center of campus at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

SLIDESHOW: UConn Football Player Jasper Howard

Messages left for UConn and State Police by Foxnews.com were not immediately returned.

The stabbing allegedly occurred after a University-sponsored dance at the student union. Police said a fire alarm went off at 12:26 a.m., and then a fight between two groups broke out outside of the student union, FOX61 reported.

Police said two people were stabbed there. The second victim was reportedly treated and released from a hospital.

UConn's president Michael Hogan told the Associated Press that the stabbing was a tragedy for the entire university community.

"I was in the locker room after the game yesterday. It was such a joyous moment," Hogan said.

"To go from that game and such a victory to the developments at 12:30 last night is such a tragedy."

Hogan said the school was arranging for Howard's mother to come to Connecticut.

The 5-foot-9, 174-pound Howard, a Junior who hails from Miami, played a key role in UConn's victory over Louisville on Saturday.

"I felt my hand go on the ball and I felt that I had a chance to get it out. I just stripped it out. It was a big play. We needed it," Howard told the Associated Press after the game.

Howard led the Big East college football conference in punt returns last season.

The suspect in the stabbing is still at large, according to an emergency alert on the school’s Web site.

UConn police were working with a major crime squad of the state police on the case. Hogan said about 40 officers were involved.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell also visited the campus Sunday to offer her condolences.

"I have reached out to UConn President Hogan to offer him any assistance needed at this most difficult time," she said in a prepared statement. "Beyond law enforcement, we will also make available counselors and other needed resources."

Click here for more from FOX61.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report.