Jovan Belcher of Kansas City Chiefs kills girlfriend, self
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the team's training facility after killing his girlfriend in a seperate incident Saturday morning, Kansas City Police spokeman Darin Snapp said.
The shooting occurred at 8:10 a.m. local time at the team's facility near Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Police communication supervisor Kathy Childs said.
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Jovan Belcher through the years
Take a look at photos of Jovan Belcher through the years.
Belcher killed his 22-year-old girlfriend at a house he was leasing before driving to the training facility, Snapp told NFL.com's Albert Breer. Police said Belcher's mother witnessed the shooting.
Police have not released the woman's name, but confirmed she and Belcher had a 3-month-old daughter.
"About (7:50 a.m), we got a call to a residence, in regards to a shooting, on the 5400 block of Crysler Avenue," Snapp said by phone. "The young woman was taken to a local hospital, where she died a short time later.
"At about 8:10 a.m., we received a call to the Arrowhead practice facility in regards to a black male armed with a gun in the parking lot, and he matched the description of the shooting suspect," Snapp continued. "Officers arrived, saw a black man with a gun to his head, and some Chiefs employees. As the officer got out of his car, he heard a gunshot. It appeared the individual shot himself. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead."
According to Snapp, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, coach Romeo Crennel and another unnamed Chiefs staff member were talking to Belcher just before he shot himself, Breer and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported. Snapp said Pioli and Crennel "never felt like they were in danger." Belcher thanked Pioli and Crennel for all that they had done for him.
When officers arrived, Belcher walked in the opposite direction from where officers were standing. He then shot himself, Snapp said.
Snapp said the shooting occurred outside the front doors of the facility.
Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released a statement in regard to the incident:
"The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted."
"We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."
Kansas City Mayor Sly James said he spoke to Pioli after the incident, and while he refused to discuss the GM's emotional state, the mayor said Pioli was "extremely concerned that fans of this team are not disappointed and not left in the cold."
"I think they think there's an obligation to the people of this city, the fans of the team and the fans of the other team to play the game," James said.
Belcher, 25, grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and played for Maine University. There, he was named first-team All American in the Football Championship Subdivision. After going undrafted in 2009, the Chiefs signed Belcher as a free agent. The fourth-year player was named a starting linebacker in 2011.
The Chiefs are scheduled to play host to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers reportedly have been told by the NFL to keep plans to travel to Kansas City for the game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the team's training facility after killing his girlfriend in a seperate incident Saturday morning, Kansas City Police spokeman Darin Snapp said.
The shooting occurred at 8:10 a.m. local time at the team's facility near Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Police communication supervisor Kathy Childs said.
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Jovan Belcher through the years
Take a look at photos of Jovan Belcher through the years.
Belcher killed his 22-year-old girlfriend at a house he was leasing before driving to the training facility, Snapp told NFL.com's Albert Breer. Police said Belcher's mother witnessed the shooting.
Police have not released the woman's name, but confirmed she and Belcher had a 3-month-old daughter.
"About (7:50 a.m), we got a call to a residence, in regards to a shooting, on the 5400 block of Crysler Avenue," Snapp said by phone. "The young woman was taken to a local hospital, where she died a short time later.
"At about 8:10 a.m., we received a call to the Arrowhead practice facility in regards to a black male armed with a gun in the parking lot, and he matched the description of the shooting suspect," Snapp continued. "Officers arrived, saw a black man with a gun to his head, and some Chiefs employees. As the officer got out of his car, he heard a gunshot. It appeared the individual shot himself. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead."
According to Snapp, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, coach Romeo Crennel and another unnamed Chiefs staff member were talking to Belcher just before he shot himself, Breer and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported. Snapp said Pioli and Crennel "never felt like they were in danger." Belcher thanked Pioli and Crennel for all that they had done for him.
When officers arrived, Belcher walked in the opposite direction from where officers were standing. He then shot himself, Snapp said.
Snapp said the shooting occurred outside the front doors of the facility.
Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released a statement in regard to the incident:
"The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted."
"We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."
Kansas City Mayor Sly James said he spoke to Pioli after the incident, and while he refused to discuss the GM's emotional state, the mayor said Pioli was "extremely concerned that fans of this team are not disappointed and not left in the cold."
"I think they think there's an obligation to the people of this city, the fans of the team and the fans of the other team to play the game," James said.
Belcher, 25, grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and played for Maine University. There, he was named first-team All American in the Football Championship Subdivision. After going undrafted in 2009, the Chiefs signed Belcher as a free agent. The fourth-year player was named a starting linebacker in 2011.
The Chiefs are scheduled to play host to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers reportedly have been told by the NFL to keep plans to travel to Kansas City for the game.
