A college basketball player is shot dead while in a

A college basketball player is shot dead while in a Mercedes at a New Jersey wildlife sanctuary

The 20-year-old college basketball player was shot and killed in the driver’s seat of a white Mercedes at a wildlife sanctuary in New Jersey

  • Phil Urban played for the University of Connecticut before his death
  • He was shot and killed at Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve around 7pm on Saturday
  • The death is being investigated by Homicide and no arrests have been made

A college basketball player was fatally shot in a white Mercedes at a New Jersey wildlife sanctuary over the weekend, authorities said.

Phil Urban, 20, was playing for Post University in Connecticut before his death.

The six-foot-tall Manalapan athlete, who graduated from the prestigious Pennington School, was shot dead at the Hopewell Valley Conservation Area around 7 p.m. Saturday, the Mercer County Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Police said they spotted him “slumped” in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which was parked in a lane.

Phil Urban (pictured) played for Post University in Connecticut before his death

Phil Urban (pictured) played for Post University in Connecticut before his death

He was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. His death is under homicide investigation and no arrests have been made so far.

The circumstances of Urban’s death are not yet clear, but authorities said they believe he was planning to meet someone at the park.

Phil Urban was shot dead at Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve (pictured) around 7 p.m. Saturday, the Mercer County Attorney's Office said in a statement

Phil Urban was shot dead at Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve (pictured) around 7 p.m. Saturday, the Mercer County Attorney’s Office said in a statement

Urban recently joined Post’s team on a basketball scholarship. In an April tweet, the school wrote: “WELCOME… Phil Urban. Phil is an experienced 6’6 winger from Manapalan NJ who can play in multiple positions. We are excited to see what Phil will add to our team both as a player and as a person. Welcome to the nest, Phil!’

One ex-coach tweeted about him: “This boy has dealt with a lot of adversity over the last year and if I told you how he dealt with it you would be proud too!

The 1.80 meter tall athlete from Manalapan graduated from the renowned Pennington School (pictured)

The 1.80 meter tall athlete from Manalapan graduated from the renowned Pennington School (pictured)

“Super excited for Philly man – stayed humble, trusted the process and achieved a goal!”

Post University CEO and President John Hopkins said in a statement to SNBC13: “The Post University community is heartbroken to learn of the death of freshman Phil Urban last night.

“As a member of the men’s basketball team and majoring in business administration, Philip exemplified leadership, dedication and hard work on the field and in the classroom.”