Washington State football player identified as shooting victim after Apple Cup incident

A Washington State football player has been identified as the shooting victim after an off-campus gathering following the Apple Cup in Pullman. Police responded to a reported shooting around 1:47 a.m. Sunday and found Uilisone Falealo, a Cougars standout, with a gunshot wound to the stomach, according to court documents obtained by local outlets.

Falealo was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet, with court records indicating the round did not damage any organs. The Pullman Police Department has issued a warrant for a suspect identified as Jakori C. Buchanan, a 20-year-old Black male described as 5-foot-7 and 143 pounds. Buchanan was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and white shoes and is believed to have fled the scene in a gray 2025 Hyundai Sonata with Minnesota plates REW514. A warrant has been issued for Buchanan on charges of first and fourth-degree assault. Authorities say he may be headed toward Seattle with companions and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Buchanan is captured in surveillance footage fighting the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Falealo before loading a gun, firing a shot and fleeing in the Hyundai, according to court documents. He is also accused of striking a female guest at the party. The school has released a statement confirming that it was a Washington State University student who was shot, adding that the individual is currently recovering and that his family is with him in Pullman.

An Anchorage native, Falealo previously played at Idaho before transferring to Washington State and redshirting in 2025. On Sunday, a cryptic post appeared on Falealo’s Instagram page showing him holding a bottle of water with a caption suggesting gratitude; it is unclear when the photo was taken and the post does not indicate his injury status. The Cougars lost the Apple Cup 59-24 to the Huskies on Saturday night in Pullman, a result that places Washington State in the position of preparing for its next game, away against Colorado State.

Police say the shooting appears to be an isolated incident. Investigators continue to review surveillance footage and canvass witnesses, and no additional injuries have been reported. As the investigation unfolds, authorities ask anyone with information to come forward to assist in locating Buchanan and establishing a timeline of events surrounding the incident.