Payne led Jefferson to a state championship as a senior. He then played for Michigan State from 2010-14. He was a three-year starter who scored 1,232 points in his career. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Payne with the No. 15 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2014. He played four seasons in the NBA (2014-18).
Payne died after trying to help keep peace between a friend and the friend’s boyfriend, who now is accused of murder. According to court records, Payne came to an Orlando townhouse to help his girlfriend.
Payne’s girlfriend told Orange County Sheriff’s deputies she was asked to come to the townhouse by a friend, who is dating the suspected shooter, Lawrence Dority, according to Orange County court documents.
The witness said her friend and Dority argued often and that she “has previously responded to be a ‘mediator’ to prevent any physical violence,” an affidavit read. “[The witness] assumed that’s why she was responding this night.”
She told deputies Payne was outside in his vehicle, which was parked in the street, and talking to Dority, according to court records.
Dority reportedly walked away and went into the townhouse before returning with a gun.
During an interview with Dority, he told investigators he interpreted Payne’s presence as a threat, according to court documents.
“Dority observed [Payne] making movements with his right hand in the right side of his waistband,” an affidavits read. “Dority observed the ‘shape of a gun’ on the right side of his shirt, where [Payne] was moving his hand.”
Dority then left the vehicle and got a gun from the townhouse before returning and firing one round, according to records.
Payne was not armed and no firearm was discovered in his vehicle, a deputy wrote in an affidavit.
“Dority stated he was afraid of [Payne],” according to the affidavit. “Dority stated he was protecting his family and protecting his home.”
The witness told investigators Payne was not threatening Dority or making any threatening motions, according to court documents.
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