Fort Lewis College Football Player Arrested in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

A Fort Lewis College football player has been arrested after authorities allege he paid others to attempt to kill a fellow student in Durango, Colorado.

According to an arrest affidavit, 19-year-old Jackson Keller was taken into custody on January 29 and charged with criminal solicitation to commit first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon on college grounds. The arrest followed a joint investigation conducted by the Fort Lewis College Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Keller is listed on the school’s athletics website as a freshman linebacker from Tampa Bay, Florida. He did not appear in any games during the most recent football season.

Court documents state that police interviewed the alleged victim, who said he met Keller over the summer. One of their earliest interactions reportedly involved playing a football video game, during which the two exchanged trash talk. After Keller won the game, he allegedly challenged the victim to a physical fight, according to the affidavit written by Fort Lewis College police officer Matthew Dufva.

The victim told investigators he declined the challenge and walked away. The affidavit further alleges that Keller later paid individuals $500 to carry out an attempt on the victim’s life, prompting law enforcement intervention.

Authorities have not released details regarding the individuals allegedly solicited or the extent of any attempted attack. The investigation remains ongoing.

Keller remains in custody as the legal process continues. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Keller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.