Composite screenshot of News 12 YouTube video
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
College basketball player murdered at nature preserve for small marijuana stash: Police
December 26, 2022
A promising college basketball player was gunned down in a New Jersey nature preserve shortly before Christmas over a small quantity of marijuana, police say.
At around 7 p.m. on December 17, police arrived at the Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve, about ten miles north of Trenton, where they found Phil Urban, a 20-year-old basketball player at Post University, "slumped over" the wheel of his white C-class Mercedes. The car was parked on a preserve trail, and Urban was clearly in medical distress, having sustained a serious gunshot wound. Police immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The initial investigation indicated that Urban had gone to the preserve "to meet an acquaintance" and was shot "at some point during the encounter," said a news release from Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri and Hopewell Police Chief James Rosso. However, further investigation suggested instead that Urban had actually met up with two teenagers — one 16 and one 17 — who had supposedly lured Urban to the park with the intention of robbing him of about a quarter-pound of marijuana worth approximately $800.
A week after the shooting, the two suspects — whose names have not been released on account of their age — were slapped with a long list of serious charges, including murder, felony murder, robbery, and weapons offenses. They are currently detained at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center in New Jersey, though there is a chance they may be tried as adults. It is unclear when they are next expected to appear in court.
During his short life, Urban seems to have touched a lot of lives, especially inside the basketball community. Several coaches remarked on his sense of humor and his quiet determination on the court.
"He was a good kid," said Post University men's basketball coach Marc Kuntz. "He had no issues at Post. I cannot speak to the situation other than to say that it’s tragic."
"His quiet sense of humor was infectious, and he was a valuable part of our basketball program," Kuntz added.
A statement released by Urban's former club team, the New Jersey Panthers, claimed that Urban "had a great sense of humor and was one of the most well-liked student-athletes in our organization by both players and staff alike."
As a freshman, Urban had limited playing time with Post, a Division II school in Waterbury, Connecticut. In four games this season, the 6-foot-6, 204-lb. forward from Manalapan, New Jersey, averaged 2.5 points per game. He is survived by at least one sister, according to reports.
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Sr. Editor, News
Cortney Weil is a senior editor for Blaze News.
cortneyweil
Cortney Weil
Sr. Editor, News
Cortney Weil is a senior editor for Blaze News. She has a Ph.D. in Shakespearean drama, but now enjoys writing about religion, sports, and local criminal investigations. She loves God, her husband, and all things Michigan State.
@cortneyweil →more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.