CSU mourns loss of freshman football player in off-campus incident

The Charleston Southern University football ministry and CSU family mourn the tragic loss of freshman Lorvens Florestal due to an overnight incident off campus.  

Florestal was shot and killed in a random act of violence outside of a West Ashley residence early Sunday morning. The gunman remains at large. Authorities are still investigating the incident, but witnesses confirm the CSU football walk-on was an innocent bystander.  

CSU Football Head Coach Autry Denson said, “My heart hurts for Lorvens Florestal’s family and friends back home in South Florida. Our CSU football ministry, the CSU family, and communities all over this country should never have to endure senseless acts of violence. Under no circumstances should this be the narrative of Lorvens’s life, a young man just beginning to live out his dream of being a Division One student-athlete. My personal commitment, and that of our football ministry, is to continue to trust God for guidance, and to live each day with the intentionality and purpose necessary to honor Lorvens’s legacy.” 

A walk-on defensive end by way of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Florida, Florestal had not yet played a game for the Buccaneers. He made 1^st Team All State for 7A and 1^st Team All County for Palm Beach County during his high school career. According to the CSU football coaching staff, Florestal’s dream was to play college football and work hard to help his parents who immigrated from Haiti to give them all a better life. 

“This unimaginable tragedy is something none of us should ever experience. That Lorvens’s life was taken so quickly and senselessly magnifies our grief,” said President Dr. Dondi Costin. “In the face of this tragic event, we want to share our deepest appreciation to the Charleston PD for being on the scene from the beginning, especially the heroic officer who arrived on scene just after the shooting occurred and attempted to provide life-saving aid to Lorvens. May the Lord grant Lorvens’s family, his football family, and the entire CSU family the peace we know can only come from the sovereign God who loves us supremely.“ 

Tavarius Jackson, defensive back coach, coached Florestal for two years in high school before coming to Charleston Southern. Jackson said the student-athlete was a wonderful, hard-working and caring young man who inspired the next generation.  

“He always went back to speak to underprivileged kids at various nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club, the DJ Center, and others. He spoke to young kids at elementary schools. He appreciated life and appreciated what he had. Lorvens was a kid that no matter what someone else was going through or what he was going through, if it was his last of anything, he’d give it to you. He was always caring for others,” said Jackson. “Be like Florestal and treat everyone like you want to be treated and respect everyone. Please keep his family in your prayers.”  

CSU’s counseling services (843.863.8010) and campus ministries teams are available for anyone seeking emotional and spiritual guidance. Plans for a memorial service have not yet been announced. 

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