Former Central Michigan Quarterback And Army Sergeant Dead At 27 In Bizarre Accident

Tommy Lazzaro, the former quarterback for Central Michigan who later became a sergeant in the U.S. Army, died at 27.

Lazarro, who served in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, died after being shot in a hunting accident.

Sergeant Lazzaro was shot by a stray bullet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida when he was driving to assist another soldier who was having car troubles.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office reported Lazaro was hit by a bullet that was fired by a hunter who was at a shooting range.

Col. Patrick Nelson, 7th SFG(A) commander, stated, “We deeply mourn the loss of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).”

Tommy Lazzaro, former Central Michigan QB, dead at 27 after getting hit by stray bullet in hunting accident https://t.co/PfPXSuYIoT pic.twitter.com/nKRCrIFykm

— New York Post (@nypost) December 27, 2024

Here’s what Fox News reported:

Tommy Lazzaro, a former Central Michigan quarterback and a sergeant in the United States Army, was tragically killed in a hunting accident over the weekend, according to officials. He was 27.

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Lazzaro, who served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, was shot by a stray bullet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Sunday when he was driving to help another soldier who was experiencing car trouble, a spokesperson for 7th Special Forces Group told Task & Purpose.

A hunter shooting on the range fired the shot. According to the report, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as a “tragic hunting accident.”

“We deeply mourn the loss of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),” Col. Patrick Nelson, 7th SFG(A) commander, said in a statement to the news site.

“We will never forget his dedication, courage, and commitment to safeguarding our freedoms. His absence leaves a void that will be felt professionally and personally among those who had the honor of working with Thomas. Our heartfelt condolences extend to his family, friends, and comrades during this difficult time.

The Central Michigan football community is mourning the loss of Tommy Lazzaro, a former quarterback who died at 27 in a hunting accident at a military base in Florida, according to multiple reports. https://t.co/qruTlGCd06

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 27, 2024

Per People:

Tommy Lazzaro, a member of the Special Forces who previously played quarterback for Central Michigan University, has reportedly died. He was 27.

Lazzaro was at a hunting location on Eglin Air Force Base in Walton County, Fla., when a hunter’s stray round hit him on Sunday, Dec. 22. According to Task & Purpose, a military news outlet, he had gone to the range to help a fellow soldier who was having car trouble.

“We deeply mourn the loss of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),” Col. Patrick Nelson, the group’s commander, told the outlet in a statement.

“We will never forget his dedication, courage, and commitment to safeguarding our freedoms,” Nelson continued.

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“His absence leaves a void that will be felt professionally and personally among those who had the honor of working with Thomas,” the commander said. “Our heartfelt condolences extend to his family, friends, and comrades during this difficult time.”

Report: Former CMU quarterback Tommy Lazzaro dies in hunting accidenthttps://t.co/vGhwo8bsK2

— WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) December 26, 2024