A DeKalb high school graduate died in Orlando Saturday night after performing with the Florida A&M marching band, police said.
Robert Champion, 26, a graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School, was found unconscious by Orlando paramedics aboard a school bus, according to a report by the Tallahassee university's student newspaper, The Famuan.
Champion was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Champion, a drum major with the Marching 100, vomited and experienced breathing difficulties before falling unconscious.
The Orange County Medical Examiner's Office said results of an autopsy were not available Sunday.
Foul play is not suspected, Orange County authorities said.
The Marching 100 was at the Florida Citrus Bowl to perform at the 32nd Florida Classic, an annual contest between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman University.
Champion, a music major, had served as one of six FAMU drum majors since 2010.
“We are in shock,” said FAMU Band Director Julian White. “He was a very fine drum major who was of excellent character and very trustworthy. I had not told him yet, but he was slated to be the head drum major next year.”
Champion's father, also named Robert Champion, spoke with Channel 2 Action News and said his son was in good health, trained regularly and had no existing medical conditions.
"I think a parent shouldn't have to plan a funeral, bury their child ... it was a hard thing to take," the father said Sunday. "I do want to know what happened because that would give me more understanding -- something like this I can accept knowing what happened."