The family of former North Carolina Central University (NCCU) basketball player Devin Butts has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university, alleging a series of safety failures that led to the tragic loss of the 22-year-old athlete.
According to the complaint, Butts collapsed during an unsupervised, late-night workout at McDougald-McLendon Arena in April 2023. The session, which occurred around 12:30 a.m., reportedly took place without any coaches or medical personnel present. The lawsuit claims that Butts and three teammates accessed the facility through a propped-open door and were engaging in team-related activities, which violated NCAA off-season guidelines and university protocols.
After collapsing on the court, Butts’ teammates quickly dialed 911. But emergency responders did not arrive until nearly 20 minutes later. More concerning, the family alleges that the arena’s only Automated External Defibrillator (AED)—a critical device for cardiac emergencies—was locked away in a training room inaccessible during the workout.
Butts was transported to Duke University Hospital, where he passed away four days later, on May 5, 2023. His death certificate lists ventricular tachycardia, a life-threatening heart rhythm disturbance that AEDs are specifically designed to treat, as a primary factor.
In their filing with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, the Butts family accuses NCCU of gross negligence and a failure to enforce its own safety policies. The complaint points to an institutional breakdown—citing a lack of accessible emergency equipment, no required AED training for athletes or staff, and a “culture” that allegedly encouraged players to engage in after-hours workouts to remain competitive.
The lawsuit also names NCCU head basketball coach LeVelle Moton, alleging that he fostered an environment in which athletes felt pressure to practice outside regulated hours. The family seeks damages to cover medical expenses, emotional suffering, lost income, and punitive damages.
Butts was a well-traveled athlete who had previously played at Mississippi State, Louisiana, and New Mexico Junior College before landing at NCCU. During the 2022–2023 season, he appeared in 17 games for the Eagles and was expected to graduate in June 2023. His passing sent shockwaves through the HBCU and college sports communities, with tributes pouring in from former teammates and fans across the country.
As of now, NCCU has not released a public statement regarding the lawsuit. The case raises serious concerns about emergency preparedness within collegiate athletic programs, particularly at the HBCU level where resource disparities are often more pronounced.
This tragic incident is now at the center of a legal battle that could set new standards for how universities protect student-athletes. And for the Butts family, it’s a fight for justice and accountability as they mourn a young life lost far too soon.