College football linebacker accused of murder of 40-year-old man in Virignia

A linebacker for the Virginia Tech football team is accused of murdering a 40-year-old acquaintance, police say.

Isimemen Etute was charged with second-degree murder by the Blacksburg police on June 2. He is being held in Montgomery County Jail in Virginia without bond.

On June 1, around 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a home for a welfare check and found a dead man, according to the department. The victim was identified as Jerry Smith, 40.

Investigators have not said how Smith died, but determined his death was a homicide.

Detectives identified Etute as a person of interest and then as the suspected killer. Police noted the two men were acquainted. Officers say the investigating is ongoing.

Virginia Tech officials said Etute was a freshman majoring in human development. He was placed on interim suspension from the university and the football team. The university stated it will continue to help police in their investigation.

“The Virginia Tech and Town of Blacksburg communities are united in our shared concern for the welfare of all. Together, we denounce all acts of violence and stand together in support of one another,” a university statement reads.

Etute has spent one year on the Virginia Tech football team, though he has not appeared in any games. He is from Virginia Beach, Virginia.