Incoming University of the Cumberlands student dies in altercation with police

Everette Howard in an undated Facebook photo.

A Cincinnati high school graduate who received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of the Cumberlands this fall died Saturday morning after being Tased by police on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

Everette Howard, 18, was set to begin his freshman year at UofC in Williamsburg later this month where he was to join the school’s wrestling team and planned to participate in football. According to published reports, Howard died sometime after 3:00 a.m. Saturday following an altercation with University of Cincinnati Police.

Authorities were called to a dormitory where those participating in the Upward Bound program were staying after a report of an assault. After officers arrived, Howard allegedly approached them in a threatening manner. According to University of Cincinnati police, he was ordered to stop, but refused and came at officers with balled fists. He was incapacitated by an officer using a Taser.

Police checked for vital signs after using the Taser and became concerned when it appeared Howard had a weak pulse. He died a short time later after attempts to revive him at University Hospital were unsuccessful.

University of Cincinnati Police has suspended the use of Tasers until an investigation into the incident is completed.

Howard was a recent graduate of North College Hill High School in Cincinnati where he was captain of the school’s football and wrestling teams. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, he was also a member of the Student Leadership Team at North College Hill High and ranked in the top 10 percent in his class in academics.

"He had made all the arrangements to come to the University of the Cumberlands as an incoming student," said Michael Colegrove, Vice President for Student Services at UofC. "It was is terrible what happened to him … very tragic."

Howard was set to wrestle in the 165 lbs. weight class for UofC.