New Orleans Pelicans Guard Bryce Dejean-Jones Fatally Shot, Killed

First Posted: May 30, 2016 05:50 AM EDT

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and its teams were awakened by the shocking news that New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones died of a fatal gunshot wound after breaking down the door to a Dallas apartment early Saturday.

CNN reported that officers responded to a call about a shooting at Camden Belmont Apartments around 3:20 a.m. on Saturday morning. A Dallas resident told police on site that about hearing someone enter his apartment by kicking the front door open, police spokesman DeMarquis Black said in a statement.

The owner of the apartment said "he called out to the individual, but he heard no answer, " and when the resident's bedroom door was kicked open, the resident fired his gun, police said.

Officers on the scene then found Dejean-Jones collapsed in an outdoor passageway, and later died at a hospital. Police identified him as Dejean-Jones, 23 and a guard playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. Dejean-Jones' agent, Scott Nichols, said the NBA player died after a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The apartment complex management send an email to its residents on Saturday saying that the individual was "believed to be breaking into the apartment of an estranged acquaintance but apparently broke into the wrong apartment." Nichols said that Dejean-Jones was in Dallas to visit his girlfriend for his daughter's first birthday, which was Saturday. He said the girlfriend returned to the apartment first while Dejean-Jones went for a walk after they had gone out, Fox News reported.

"He went to the wrong apartment unfortunately and I think he thought his girlfriend locked him out, so he was knocking on the door, banging on the door, it's locked,'' Nichols said in a statement. "So one thing led to another,'' he continued.

The NBA said in a statement, obtained by ESPN, that police will do a toxicology report but the process is "a few weeks away." It is still unknown whether a substance played a role in the incident. The Dallas police are expected to provide an update by Tuesday.

According to the Dallas Morning News, authorities don't believe Dejean-Jones was armed. However, it is legal in Texas for someone to use deadly force in order to protect themselves from intruders. The NBA said that no charges have been filed against the apartment resident.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called the what happened a "tragic loss." He issued a statement on Saturday saying, "Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his journey to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league."

Dejean-Jones was part of the 2014-15 Iowa State team with a record of 25-9, and captured a Big 12 title. The team has also made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. He was fourth on the team in scoring with an average of 10.5 points in 33 games. He also played at Southern California and UNLV and was signed by the Pelicans last summer after not being selected in the 2015 draft.

Reactions from players around the league started to pour after the news broke out. Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin tweeted "Crazy how life is man," he said. "Prayers out to Bryce Dejean Jones and his family."