Dave Mirra, the versatile, record-setting BMX freestyle rider who helped define the X Games, died Thursday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police in Greenville, N.C. He was 41.
ESPN issued this statement regarding Mirra: “Dave Mirra, your courage, determination and natural skill in everything you pursued pushed the world of action sports to become a better place. From all of us at X Games and ESPN, we salute your contributions. Our sincere condolences go out to Dave’s wife, Lauren, his daughters Mackenzie and Madison, the BMX community and friends of Dave Mirra.”
Many of his peers in the action sports world and entertainers saluted Mirra, who owned the most X Games medals in history through the summer of 2013, on social media. Here is a sampling:
Goodbye Dave Mirra, a true pioneer, icon and legend. Thank you for the memories… we are heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/RHpTe7Qzwi
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) February 5, 2016
2016 is taking way too many awesome people. #rip Dave Mirra :<
— RivingtonBisland III (@RivingtonThe3rd) February 5, 2016
Gone but never forgotten. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones RIP @davemirra… https://t.co/Ovh2TAu8A6
— Garrett Reynolds (@thrashtheshred) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra was a true sportsman. He inspired so many people and changed the game in action… https://t.co/bSkYw1Nv76
— Chas Guldemond (@ChasGuldemond) February 5, 2016
Bummed. #Repost @ridebmx
・・・
No video footage will give justice to what Dave Mirra contributed… https://t.co/6620vc1Zgm— aaron ross (@theaaronross) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra, Xgames, BMX legend, gone. Suicide. Unbelievable. Speechless.
— Christmas Titus (@TitusNation) February 5, 2016
Rest In Peace @davemirra. Too soon… #miracleboy pic.twitter.com/PClwT9b2SL
— Tanner Foust (@TannerFoust) February 5, 2016
Cheers to you @davemirra. Us Kagys will raise a glass to you and celebrate all the positive you contributed… https://t.co/Rx7zA2TnrJ
— Chad Kagy (@chadkagy) February 5, 2016
The world lost a legend, a hero, an inspiration today. I will miss you @davemirra & so will a lot of people in… https://t.co/PqW3nx37RZ
— Chad Kagy (@chadkagy) February 5, 2016
RIP #DaveMirra Was the main reason I ever owned a bmx bike! #Legend
— Kolten Wong (@KoltenWong) February 5, 2016
Celebrate the life of a genius! BMX Legend!!!!!! #RIPDaveMirra https://t.co/RWlyfTE9z2
— “DROGAS WAVE” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
Damn…RIP Dave Mirra…
Legend…Damn…
— “DROGAS WAVE” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
So sad to hear about the loss of Dave Mirra. @davemirra such a huge part of action sports for so long #❤️
— Elena Hight (@Elenahight) February 5, 2016
I always looked up to Dave mirra as a child, breaking bones to try the things he did on a bike he made me want to be a pro bmx rider.. #rip
— Greg Bretz (@gregbretzz) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/Levi_LaVallee/status/695423888222609410
RIP Dave Mirra. You're a legend man. Shred in peace..
— Tom Wallisch (@TWallisch) February 5, 2016
I'm in complete shock. Angry, heart broken and just sad at the passing of my friend Dave. Heart broken 4 his daughters and wife. #DaveMirra
— Carey Hart (@hartluck) February 5, 2016
Shell shocked. In tears. Confused. I can't believe this. My heart dies for his family. #davemirra
— ALEKESAM (@SalMasekela) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/JamieOGrady/status/695416281688739841
Rest in Peace Dave Mirra. Thank you for pushing the boundaries of what was possible. You are a legend.
— Brian Kachinsky (@bkachinsky) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheDingoInSnow/status/695412737594118144
Can't believe the news about Dave Mirra. He was the reason I begged my parents for a bmx bike as a kid. RIP.
— Derek Phillips (@DerekPhillips89) February 5, 2016
Heartbroken by the news of Dave Mirra. One of the nicest guys I ever dealt with at X Games and Dew Tour. A true pro. https://t.co/qSNlRTMRwp
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/metalmulisha/status/695405776731385858
R.I.P. Dave Mirra. So sad.
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/695402885182402564
RIP Dave Mirra put Greenville on the map
— Andre Brown (@drebrown35) February 5, 2016
Im not a huge BMX fan but Dave Mirra’s video games will always own a huge part of my childhood so this is incredibly sad to me.
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 5, 2016
Damn. Terrible news about @davemirra. I've crossed paths with Mirra many times over the years, never would have seen this coming.
— Tony Besson (@TonyBesson) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra was a true sportsman. He inspired so many people and changed the game in action… https://t.co/bSkYw1Nv76
— Chas Guldemond (@ChasGuldemond) February 5, 2016
RIP TO A CHILDHOOD LEGEND #DAVEMIRRA
— EL DIABLO (@djcarnage) February 5, 2016
Joyce Wang, Danny Chi and Crystal Yang Edwards contributed to this post.
