USA TODAY Sports

BMX star Dave Mirra has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police in Greenville, N.C., said Thursday.

Mirra, 41, of Greenville was sitting in his truck when police found him. The release said he had been visiting friends in the area a short time before the incident.

He was credited with bringing BMX to Greenville, which is now home to more than 20 pro riders.

Fans mourn the passing of action sports icon Dave Mirra

"We mourn the loss today of a great friend and wonderful human being who touched the lives of so many around the world with his gift,” said Greenville mayor Allen Thomas in a statement. “He called Greenville, North Carolina home and was as humble a guy talking with kids on a street corner about bikes as he was in his element on the world stage. A young life with so much to offer was taken too soon.”

Mirra once held the record for most X Games medals in history with 24 until he was surpassed by Bob Burnquist, according to his X Games profile. He won his first X Games medal in 1995 and won gold in BMX Park five consecutive times. Mirra was also the host of “Real World/Road Rules Challenge” on MTV.