Former Miami Hurricanes player Avantae Williams facing murder charge
Avantae Williams, one of the top players in UM’s 2020 recruiting class, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Monday after a weekend shooting at a DeLand bar that left one man dead and another injured.
DeLand police said the shooting happened early Saturday morning at McCabe’s Bar on Amelia Avenue in DeLand.
“Witnesses told investigators that a fistfight broke out between several men inside the bar,” a police news release said. “During the altercation, one of the men produced a firearm and began shooting.”
Keshod Harris, 32, of DeLand, was shot hit multiple times in the chest and died from his injuries after being transported to an area hospital, police said.
A bartender sustained gunshot wounds to both hands, but police say his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Williams, 24, is being held in a Volusia County jail without bond.
UM suspended Williams for six games in 2021, after he was arrested on three counts of aggravated battery against his pregnant ex-girlfriend. UM reinstated him when charges were dropped but he transferred to Maryland after the 2022 season.
An unspecified medical issue forced him to miss his entire 2020 freshman season at UM. After missing the first six games of the 2021 season due to the domestic violence suspension, Williams eventually took the field for the final six games that year, started once, made 18 tackles and had one interception.
As a sophomore in 2022, his role shrunk behind starters James Williams and Kamren Kinchens, and he finished with only nine tackles with one fumble recovery.
His role was limited in his one season at Maryland.
Williams, who attended DeLand High, ended up playing 17 games for Miami and five in his one season at Maryland.
247 Sports rated him UM’s top recruit in 2020 and the No. 2 safety prospect in the nation that year.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM.
