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Iona College Class of 2012 signee Michael Haynes was killed trying to break up a fight in a Chicago, Ill., shooting on Thursday night.
The 22-year old Haynes was shot in front of his home breaking up an argument about a stolen necklace when he was shot in the wrist, chest and lower back. Friends transported Haynes to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries at 6:25 p.m.
Haynes originally committed to UTEP out of high school, but couldn't qualify and spent the last two years at Indian Hills Community College. Haynes averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds last year for Indian Hill CC, which was enough for Iona to extend a scholarship to the 6-foot-7 power forward.
When approached by the New York Daily News, Iona Head Coach Tim Cluess had this to say about Haynes:
"It's just so hard. I don't know how to describe it. Once you got to know Michael you just couldn't wait to coach him. He came from a very rough area in Chicago and he just wanted to make a better life for himself. He was just looking for a chance to change his life."