Former Grand Valley State standout running back Martayveus "Marty" Carter, who was involved in a weekend shooting, has bullet fragments in his spine and some degree of paralysis, Lakers coach Matt Mitchell said Thursday.

"He's still in the hospital, he's conscious and they're weighing surgery and the next options," Mitchell told MLive of the school's all-time rushing leader who was injured during a shootout Saturday near a gas station in East Chicago.

A Hammond man, Brian Thomas, 30, was killed from a gunshot wound in the incident that, police said, is being treated as a homicide.

Mitchell was uncertain the extent of paralysis, other than "he is conscious and is aware of it."

The information came from Carter's grandfather, Willie Brooks, who, Mitchell said, gave him the go-ahead to speak about Carter's condition.

He remains at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Grand Valley State players in the area gathered for a team meeting Monday to "have a chance to reflect and talk about it," Mitchell said, noting the university also made grief counseling available.

"There's a mixture of emotions for the coaches and players, too," the coach said. "Sad. Our hearts go out to him and the family. Sorrow. But frustrations, too. That we weren't collectively, everyone - him, us, everybody - that we weren't able to finish things the right way.

"There were a lot of sleepless nights before this incident and this is just kind of another layer on top of a lot of frustrations that have gone on. It's tragic and I'm aware that's not a word to be used lightly."

Carter, who rushed for 3,728 yards and 36 TDs in three seasons, was not expected to be academically eligible this fall and, in late June, he declared for the NFL supplemental draft. Carter went undrafted and was scheduled to have a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs, though there are no reports whether or not that happened.

The Lakers' football program, meanwhile, opens fall camp Monday.

"It's very difficult, but we have to move forward," Mitchell said. "Not to sound callous, but when it comes to injuries and the sort, this is kind of an unforgiving sport. On Saturdays, it's a bit of a microcosm that when someone gets hurt, even if it's pretty bad, the protocols are to treat him, get him off the field and continue the game.

"You balance thoughts and prayers for Marty and his family with the fact that we have prepare for a season coming up with a very difficult schedule ahead."