SLIPPERY ROCK — Former Slippery Rock University middle linebacker Zach Sheridan died early Saturday morning from a gunshot wound following a scuffle in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.

Police reports said Sheridan, who is one of the top tacklers in SRU history, was involved in a fight outside the Original Hot Dog Shop.

Sheridan of Brookline was shot about 3:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 3:45 a.m. at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He was 24.

The Associated Press reported police said that two groups got into an argument outside the restaurant on Forbes Avenue. Sheridan and his friends walked away and the other group followed. Sheridan was shot once in the area of his neck when he was about two blocks away.

Police arrested a suspect Saturday night, but that man was released early Sunday morning when prosecutors didn't immediately approve charges against him.

Police did not give a reason for their reversal.

Regarding Sheridan's death, SRU head coach George Mihalik said, “I'm speechless ... just crushed. I can't imagine what his family's going through. You don't expect to get news like this early in the morning.

“A guy goes in to get something to eat in a restaurant along a main street, it ends up in a tragic death. I don't know what to say.”

SRU defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz described Sheridan as “well liked by his peers.”

“Sometimes we had to worry about him keeping his cool. He was an intense, intense player,” Lutz said. “Offenses were intimidated by his presence. He was like a Dick Butkus or Jack Lambert, a throwback to that type.

“When you deal with the number of guys that come through a college football program, sadly, you deal with a tragedy.

“People used to just get into fights. Now people pull a gun on somebody ... I guess that's how it is now. It's horrible.”

Sheridan was a safety management major at SRU. He ranks seventh on the team's career tackle list with 315 and 10th with 11 quarterback sacks.

A four-year starter, Sheridan led The Rock in tackles in each of his final three seasons. He had a career-high 102 tackles as a junior in 2010.

A Preseason All-American in 2011, Sheridan led that team with 85 tackles as SRU won the PSAC West championship and had the top-ranked defense in all of NCAA Division II for most of the season.

“Zach was the heart and soul of that unit,” Mihalik said. “He loved Rock football, and Rock football loved him.”

Sheridan was a team captain and all-conference performer.

A statement from the SRU sports information office read: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Zach's family, friends, classmates and teammates during this tragic time.”

Mihalik and Lutz visited with Sheridan's family Saturday afternoon.

“Everyone liked Zach,” Mihalik said. “He was a great guy. Other members of the team just gravitated to him. He had that type of personality.”

Lutz said Sheridan had Division I ability and could have played pro football if he was faster.

“He didn't have the speed to get to that level, but he was a physical, relentless football player,” Lutz said.

Mihalik described Sheridan as “the most physical and toughest player in Rock football history.”

SRU players will wear a decal sporting Sheridan's uniform No. 4 on their helmets this season.

“It's the least we can do, considering what he did for our program,” Mihalik said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.