A former University of Michigan standout rower who had aspirations of competing in the Olympics was tragically gunned down and killed in a murder-suicide last week, according to the police.

Bloomfield Hills resident William Schnittman was pronounced dead on Friday. The 25-year-old was a member of Michigan's national champion rowing squad from 2008 to 2010. Soon after that time, he made the move to Oklahoma City upon graduating in order to train at the National High Performance Center.

The police responded to the scene at NW 39th Street in Oklahoma City at around 3am after receiving reports that a home invasion was underway. When they entered the home, they found Schnittman with two gunshots to his head.

According to police Captain Dexter Nelson, Darrell K. Wilson, 36, shot Schnittman before taking his former unnamed female lover (most recently Schnittman's girlfriend) hostage and then sexually assaulting her. Nelson also stated that Wilson then fled from authorities before committing suicide after a car chase.

The girlfriend's four children, who are ages one, two, five and nine, were all inside the residence during the incident but were unharmed.

According to the Daily Mail, USRowing chief executive Glenn Merry experienced both "shock and sadness" upon being informed of Schnittman's death.

"He was consumed with rowing, it is fair to say, and completely dedicated himself to it. I was extremely proud to have coached him, and his unique personality always kept coaches and teammates on their toes," he said.

"Anyone who coached or rowed with Bill has many, many stories to tell about him," Merry added.

NewsOK reports that the late Schnittman and his 32-year-old girlfriend had previously sought protective orders against Wilson due to multiple threats he received from Wilson since September. However, the couple was denied that request earlier this month.

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