Boxing Champ Gunned Down in Bronx

Golden Gloves champ Ronny Vargas was fatally shot this morning after a car chase in the Bronx, the New York Post reports. The 20-year-old middleweight, recently turned pro, was hanging out with friends when they exchanged words with a passing group, police said. Vargas’ party drove off, but the others followed and cut them off.

One pursuer emerged from the car, pistol-whipped Vargas, and allegedly shot him in the chest. Vargas kicked into reverse but hit several parked cars, then walked out on the street and died. Vargas turned pro to some fanfare last year, after winning three Golden Glove championships in an impressive amateur career. (More boxing stories.)