The small town of Wesson, Mississippi, is heartbroken after 23-year-old Dylan Vaughn was shot and killed in his own home early Wednesday morning.
Everyone knew him as “DV,” the smiling, big-hearted running back who once carried Enterprise Attendance Center on his back and never let life steal his joy.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home on JJ Lane just before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. When they arrived, they found Dylan dead from a gunshot wound.
Coroner Blake Wallace later confirmed the victim was 23-year-old Dylan Vaughn.
Authorities took a person of interest into custody at the scene, but no charges or names have been released yet.
Officials have described the shooting as domestic in nature.
Dylan graduated from Enterprise in 2020 after a standout football career.
As a junior, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and was featured in local magazines about the area’s top running backs.
Even though injuries slowed his senior season, anyone who watched him play remembers the way he danced through the line, always falling forward, turning three-yard runs into five.
Coaches and teammates still talk about the night he fought through pain to finish the season with 1,012 rushing yards and proudly held up that milestone trophy.
But football was only part of who he was. Friends and family say Dylan’s laugh could fill a room, and his hug could fix a bad day.
He was the kid who stayed positive no matter what life threw at him, who believed in forgiveness, and who loved deeply.
Many believe he got that huge heart from his mother, who passed away a few years ago.
Several posts mentioned the beautiful reunion they picture between mother and son at heaven’s gates.
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In the hours since the news broke, social media has been flooded with memories and tears.
Local sports writer Y’all Sport posted a long tribute,
“He wasn’t fast, but so sure-footed. He danced through the line and was always falling forward for positive yardage. When we ran into each other around town, he would greet me with a big grin and a handshake. He mattered to me too. Rest in peace, DV.”
Via Facebook
Former coach Christy Diamond Boyte wrote,
Please be in prayer for the family, friends, classmates, and former football brothers and coaches of Dylan Vaughn. Dylan was a former Enterprise football player. It hurts to lose another football son. He was all fun and games until he got on that field. If we needed 3 yards, he was gonna get 5. I will never forget his last game when he surpassed his 1000 rushing yard goal to achieve 1012 total rushing yards for the season!! And he was so proud to have earned that trophy pictured below. He had an infectious personality and smile. And he will be missed so much! I will miss my big hugs Dylan!! It wasn’t supposed to end like this, but I know your precious momma was at those pearly gates waiting on you
Via Facebook
Childhood friend Kristen Waldrop posted,
Get your rest Dylan Vaughn, please keep Dylan’s family, classmates, & the enterprise & wesson community in your prayers. He was such a light in this dark world, his smile was so big and bright it could fix the worst day, & that laugh is for sure one I never want to forget, i’d bet anything he gave his mama the biggest hug as soon as he seen her, until we meet again dv
Via Facebook#LLDV
There will be a balloon release for Dylan on the enterprise football field @ 5 pm Friday (tomorrow), bring an umbrella it is expected to rain!
A GoFundMe started by Aurianna Vaughn has already begun raising money to help the family with funeral expenses and unexpected expenses.
The original goal was $2,800, and the community is rallying around it.
The Enterprise football family will hold a balloon release in Dylan’s memory on the Enterprise field this Friday at 5:00 p.m. Organizers say to bring an umbrella, as rain is in the forecast.
Still, nothing will keep people away from saying goodbye to DV.
Rest easy, Dylan. You left way too soon, but that smile and that laugh will never leave the people who loved you.
