Former Marshall Football Player Arrested in Huntington Robbery-Shooting; Second Suspect Still at Large

A former Marshall University football player from New York City has been arrested in connection with a violent robbery and shooting that left two people seriously injured in Huntington, West Virginia.

Tayvon Nelson, 19, of Staten Island, New York, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with first-degree robbery, according to a news release from the Huntington Police Department (HPD).

Nelson, who was previously a member of Marshall University‘s football program, has since been dismissed from the team, university officials confirmed. He was injured during the incident and sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Authorities are also searching for a second suspect, Messiah Peddie, 19, of Washington, D.C., who is wanted on a separate first-degree robbery charge. While Peddie was enrolled at Marshall University, he was not involved in any athletic programs.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the 2400 block of Collis Avenue, located in Huntington’s Highlawn neighborhood.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Cabell County Magistrate Court, Nelson and Peddie allegedly entered an apartment, pointed firearms at the occupants, and stole drugs. During the confrontation, shots were fired by both the suspects and the victims.

Nelson was struck multiple times, and both victims sustained gunshot wounds. One of the victims suffered a catastrophic spinal injury, resulting in paralysis from the waist down.

The Huntington Police Department is urging anyone with information about Messiah Peddie’s whereabouts to call the HPD tipline at 304-696-4444 or dial 911.