USC freshman sprinter Nellum shot in legs at Halloween party
By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 11/01/2008 02:06:25 AM PDT
USC sprinter Bryshon Nellum, the 2007 Gatorade national Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year, was shot in the legs three times Friday morning during a Halloween party, according to police.
Nellum, a freshman, was shot in the left thigh and right hamstring and underwent surgery Friday night at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Two bullets hit Nellum’s thigh and one hit his hamstring. Doctors said surgery was successful and were hopeful Nellum could resume his track career, according to USC track coach Ron Allice.
Nellum, 19, attended a party at Leonardo’s restaurant on Vermont Ave., a few blocks away from USC. Police said Nellum was shot near the conclusion of the party.
No arrests were made, according to Sgt. Robin Brown of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division office.
“Everyone was shocked when they heard the news,” Allice said. “But the doctors were hopeful, and he’s always been a competitor.”
Nellum was considered a potential Olympian when he graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 2007. He was the nation’s No. 1 sprinter in the 200- and 400-meter races and the first athlete to win California state titles two straight years in both races.
He broke a 20-year-old state record in the 200 meters (20.43 seconds) and has a personal best of 45.38 in the 400 meters. Nellum became the first athlete to win six state titles in California history, including relays.
Nellum redshirted during the 2007-08 season at USC after he pulled a hamstring. He was also recruited to play wide receiver for the Trojans’ football team, but decided to focus on track.