A “beloved and talented hockey player” died days after being hit by a stray bullet on Interstate 55 in Missouri.

Colin Brown, a teenage hockey player, was struck by a stray bullet on Interstate 55 in St. Louis as he was on his way home from a game with his family around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said in a news release.

After he was shot, his father immediately alerted authorities and continued to drive till they were met by police and EMS, who transported the 16-year-old to a hospital “in critical condition.”

Brown remained in critical condition at the hospital for a few days before he died Wednesday morning, police said.

“It is with a heavy heart – I share with you that 16-year-old Colin Brown has died after being shot by a stray bullet Saturday night on I-55,” St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Mitch McCoy said in a statement. “Colin’s family has asked that I relay their deep appreciation to law enforcement, the hockey community and those who loved Colin.”

“They are asking for privacy at this time,” he added.

Player donated organs

McCoy, in his statement, also shared that Brown donated his organs to “other patients in desperate need.”

“Colin passed away but not before giving the ultimate gift of life,” McCoy said. “Earlier today, Colin’s organs were donated to other patients in desperate need.”

Friends, family and staff members lined the hallways of the hospital as Brown, who aspired to be a doctor, was taken to become an organ donor, FOX2Now reported. Brown’s father told the media outlet his son’s donation saved four lives.

Christian Brothers College, a high school in St. Louis, where Brown was a student mourned his sudden demise and described him as “a talented and dedicated student who was enrolled in Honors courses, and he was a valuable member of our CBC Varsity Hockey team.”

“As our community grieves together, our prayers, support, and love are with his family and close friends during this most challenging time,” the school said in a post on Facebook.

The Dawg Nation Foundation, a registered non-profit organization “whose mission is to support members of our hockey community” in times of crisis has also set up a donation fund for Brown to help his family.

The foundation told USA TODAY Thursday that $100K in support of the Brown family has been raised so far.

No tip too small

McCoy said homicide detectives “have been working around the clock to ensure justice is served in Colin’s name,” adding the department has received several tips, including a new video since Monday, all of which are under review and investigation.

The department has also requested anyone with information on the incident to contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Those wishing to remain anonymous or are interested in a possible reward can call Crime Stoppers at 866-371-8477. Residents living in the area of I-55 and Loughborough have been specially requested to review their home security cameras, which may have captured the shooting.

“No tip or piece of information is too small. Every little bit helps us bring the person or persons responsible to justice,” police said in the news release.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

A scary moment occurred during the Missouri-Lindenwood men’s college basketball game on Wednesday night, as a Tigers player needed to be stretchered off the court. 

Caleb Grill, the Tigers’ star guard, suffered a head and neck injury after fighting for a rebound during the team’s 81-61 win over Lindenwood. 

Grill was hit awkwardly in the head while going for that rebound, which snapped his neck back while he was in the air. He landed hard on the court and held the back of his head.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Grill was transported to a local hospital after being stretchered off the court. He threw a thumbs up to the crowd, which cheered him on as he was taken off the court. 

The Columbia Daily Tribune had a team spokesperson tell them that Grill was responsive, but he was taken to the hospital out of caution. The specifics regarding his injury were not disclosed. 

NO. 1 KANSAS HOLDS OFF NO. 11 DUKE 75-72 IN TENSE VEGAS SHOWDOWN

After the game, Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates gave an update on Grill. 

“We’re awaiting results of a CT scan,” Gates said, according to the Daily Tribune. “Whenever you have a head or neck injury, you want to be [cautious] and have some caution with that. And that’s what that was all about, making sure that he was OK. He was responsive, talking the entire time when I was down there in the huddle with him. He even rolled out with his thumb up. So, that was a good sign to see in that respect.”

Missouri Tigers guard Caleb Grill (31) shoots during the second half against the Loyola (Md) Greyhounds at Mizzou Arena.  (Jay Biggerstaff-USA Today Sports)

Grill was the Tigers’ leading scorer heading into this game, averaging 15.5 points while shooting more than 55% from three-point territory. 

His stats took a dip, though, after scoring just two points and one steal over seven minutes before missing the remainder of the game. 

The Tigers moved to 6-1 on the season, but they are hoping a key member of their starting five will be back on the court soon. 

Missouri Tigers guard Caleb Grill (31) is stretchered off the court after an injury during the first half against the Lindenwood Lions at Mizzou Arena. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Mizzou’s next game comes on Tuesday against Cal. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Missouri star Caleb Grill was taken off the court on a stretcher on Wednesday night after he went down with a scary head and neck injury in their win over Lindenwood.

Grill was transported to a local hospital. A team spokesperson told the Columbia Daily Tribune that Grill is responsive, and that he was taken to the hospital out of caution. Further specifics on his injury are not yet known.

Grill was fighting for a rebound in the lane during the contest at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, but he was awkwardly hit in the head at just the right angle that caused his neck to snap back hard as he was in the air. Grill immediately fell to the court as play moved elsewhere, and he curled up into a ball while holding the back of his head.

He remained on the court for nearly 10 minutes receiving treatment before he was stretchered off the floor. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd on his way out.

Grill had two points and one steal in seven minutes when he went down with the injury. Grill, the team’s leading scorer, missed most of last season with a wrist injury. He’s averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting nearly 59% from the field and better than 55% from behind the arc.

Missouri holds a 6-1 record on the season after the win. The Tigers’ lone loss came to Memphis in their season-opener. They’ll take on Cal next on Tuesday.