NBA Rumors: Pelicans Player Bryce Dejean-Jones Fatally Shot in Dallas

New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has recently died from gunshot wounds after he was reportedly shot in the abdomen when broke into an apartment in Dallas, Texas.

According to reports, the NBA player forced his way into the apartment by kicking the front door which inevitably awakened the resident. Police stated that the resident called him out but 23-year-old athlete failed to respond. As Dejean-Jones made his way to the bedroom, the man fatally shot him with a pistol causing him to collapse. He was sent to the hospital to treat the gunshot wounds in his abdomen but was later pronounced dead. Authorities say that shooting incident is still being investigated.

Dejean-Jones was reportedly in Dallas for his daughter's birthday but got into a heated argument with his child's mother. His girlfriend lived in the same apartment complex where he was shot. Initial reports indicate that he may have had entered the wrong apartment. According to state law in Texas, a homeowner is entitled to use deadly force against a perceived threat from an intruder.

"He went to the wrong apartment unfortunately and I think he thought his girlfriend locked him out, so he was knocking on the door, banging on the door, it's locked,'' Nichols said as quoted in a report by The Guardian. "So one thing led to another.''

The 6-foot-6-inch Los Angeles native started his path to professional basketball when he played for Iowa State University. In February, he was signed to a multi-year professional contract with the New Orleans Pelicans where he obtained an average of 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in all 14 games he played in the 2015-16 season.

"We are devastated at the loss of this young man's life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce's family during this difficult time," the team said in a statement as quoted by the Reuters.

Meanwhile, Dejean-Jones' parents said that their son planned to start his own charity to give back to a community in his LA hometown.

"He grew up going to the local YMCA and things like that. He just always had a desire to give back to his community. Inglewood was an area that he really wanted to focus on and work with the youth," said Dejean-Jones' mother, Franchesca Jones, as mentioned in a report by New York Daily News.