Daniel Covington, Former University of Louisville Football Player, Fatally Shot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CBS/WLKY/AP) Former University of Louisville football player Daniel Covington was killed in downtown Louisville after a physical altercation escalated to fatal gunfire.

Jefferson County Deputy Rita Taylor said 23-year-old Covington was taken to University Hospital early Thursday morning after he sustained two gun shot wounds - one in his left arm and the other in his torso, reports CBS affiliate WLKY.

The former safety for the Cardinals did not survive the incident and was pronounced dead just after 3 a.m.

"We are all shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragic event," Director of Athletics Tom Jurich said in a news release.

"It is very painful to see this happen to a member of our athletic family. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Daniel's family and friends."

According to Louisville Police Lt.Barry Wilkerson, Covington, who played two seasons at safety for the Cardinals, was driving a car in the far right lane. He stopped at a red light and got into an argument with someone who had pulled up beside him in the left lane.

Covington who is listed in the University of Louisville media guide as 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighing 209 pounds,  allegedly got out of his car, approached the other vehicle, and began to beat up the passenger and the driver while they were still in the car.

While Covington was leaning in the passenger window, the driver pulled out a gun and fired off a single shot which appears to have gone through the passenger's hand and into the former football player's chest.

Covington managed to stumble across the street before falling at the corner of Second and Liberty Streets where police found him a short time later, reports WLKY.

Wilkerson believes the fight may have stemmed from a previous altercation. He claims police have identified two persons of interest, but believe they were acting in self-defense and may not charged.