Redskins' Sean Taylor shot at home, critical

[ljwf22]

Redskins safety Sean Taylor shot in Florida, in critical condition

MIAMI (AP) -- Washington Redskins star safety Sean Taylor was in critical condition after he was shot at his Florida home Monday, police said.
Officers were dispatched to Taylor's home at about 1:45 a.m. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said. He didn't know what part of his body was injured.

Link:http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-redskins-taylorshooting&prov=ap&type=lgns

[browneyes]

How sad...........:o

[SieSie]

Sean Taylor dies from gunshot wound (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3918346&page=1)

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died, a day after he was shot in the leg, said family friend Richard Sharpstein.

Prayers for his family and friends.

[Dark Knight]

Taylor has died from his wounds:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071127/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_obit_taylor;_ylt=Aq_xnhc2HOVIn1tFx3ctCu.s0NUE

[Lesleegp]

This is such a tragic story.

[Taximom]

How strange that there had been several burglaries at his home in the last few weeks. Could this have been a stalker? Is his home the only home in the neighborhood burglarized?

I have to admit when I heard he'd been shot in the groin area, I thought it might have been an angry ex-girlfriend. I don't know this young man's character though.

[j2mirish]

How strange that there had been several burglaries at his home in the last few weeks. Could this have been a stalker? Is his home the only home in the neighborhood burglarized?

I have to admit when I heard he'd been shot in the groin area, I thought it might have been an angry ex-girlfriend. I don't know this young man's character though.I know I heard this morning he has some type of weapons charge pending aginst him now, and the sports guys were saying something to the effect, of if you run with dogs, you get fleas-

[Taximom]

If the sports guys are saying that...they would know.

[Taximom]

But police were still investigating the attack, which came just eight days after an intruder was reported at Taylor's home. Officers were dispatched about 1:45 a.m. Monday after Taylor's girlfriend called 911.

Sharpstein said Taylor's girlfriend told him the couple was awakened by loud noises, and Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Taylor's 1-year-old daughter, Jackie, was also in the house, but neither she nor Taylor's girlfriend were injured.

Police found signs of forced entry, but have not determined if they were caused Monday, or the previous burglary.

The shooting happened in the pale yellow house he bought two years ago in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay. Eight days before the attack someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed at Taylor's home, according to police. ``They're really sifting through that incident and today's incident,'' Miami-Dade Detective Mario Rachid said, ``to see if there's any correlation.''
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-1127taylor,0,1202158.story

I think I would have moved to a hotel or something if this happened to me!! :eek:

I'm glad his girlfriend and daughter weren't hurt.

[Taximom]

Reuters article:
Facts about Sean Taylor
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2747245120071127

[SeekingJana]

This is very tragic. Probably one of the the most tragic parts is that his girlfriend, who called 911, or any other person who might have been present in the house was apparently not able to put direct pressure on the wound , probably to the femoral artery in the groin area, to slow the bleeding. He bled out to the point of not having enough blood carrying oxygen going to his heart or brain within a few minutes.

I hope everyone learns basic first aid emergency care. This is an example of how it might could have saved a life. I can't say for sure, but firm direct pressure with hands and towels, a pillow, whatever was close by would probably have slowed the bleeding until the Metro EMS could get there. It seems that he didn't live in a secluded place.

This guy could most likely also have afforded a state of the art security system and guards. So tragic!!

[JDB]

CNN is reporting the police have declared this a Homcide.also there are reports coming out saying that the phone lines were cut and that is why it took so long to call 911.

I was talking to a freind yesterday about this. He told me his step-son a few years back fell of his bike. And the handlebar gouged a hole in his leg and got his fermoral artery. If he had not applied pressure using both hands while his wife drove to the hopsital. The DR told him after a 6 hour surgery. My buddy saved the boys life.

[CarpeDiem]

One of the VT victims was shot in this artery also, he's the big guy we saw carried out of there by his arms and legs by the troopers with blood running down his leg. He SURVIVED because he made a turnequet out of an extension cord in the room.

[SeekingJana]

One of the VT victims was shot in this artery also, he's the big guy we saw carried out of there by his arms and legs by the troopers with blood running down his leg. He SURVIVED because he made a turnequet out of an extension cord in the room.

Yes, I remember that now. Thanks for bringing that up. He remembered his training. Men usually use their belts for tourniquets. However, if the GSW is high up on the leg, in the femoral artery in the bend of where the leg joins the torso, a tourniquet is usually not possible and direct firm continuous pressure may be the only on the scene means to slow bleeding. It usually won't stop bleeding, but it's a better alternative than what happened to Sean Taylor.

[SeekingJana]

CNN is reporting the police have declared this a Homcide.also there are reports coming out saying that the phone lines were cut and that is why it took so long to call 911.

I was talking to a freind yesterday about this. He told me his step-son a few years back fell of his bike. And the handlebar gouged a hole in his leg and got his fermoral artery. If he had not applied pressure using both hands while his wife drove to the hopsital. The DR told him after a 6 hour surgery. My buddy saved the boys life.

They didn't have cell phones in the Taylor home? All I can say is " Wow".
Also, new security systems automatically use a sealed, dedicated cell phone and call 911 with the equipment's cell phone the second the hard wired phone lines are cut for any reason.

I'm so glad your friend's step-son lived. That must have been some wicked bike accident.

[JDB]

They didn't have cell phones in the Taylor home? All I can say is " Wow".
Also, new security systems automatically use a sealed, dedicated cell phone and call 911 with the equipment's cell phone the second the hard wired phone lines are cut for any reason.

I'm so glad your friend's step-son lived. That must have been some wicked bike accident.

No they had one. But she could not located it right away.From what my buddy was telling me. The kid was doing what every kid does. They made a ramp and was riding up and going off of it and he landed wrong

[JDB]

Yes, I remember that now. Thanks for bringing that up. He remembered his training. Men usually use their belts for tourniquets. However, if the GSW is high up on the leg, in the femoral artery in the bend of where the leg joins the torso, a tourniquet is usually not possible and direct firm continuous pressure may be the only on the scene means to slow bleeding. It usually won't stop bleeding, but it's a better alternative than what happened to Sean Taylor.

Mean A tourniquet around the neck would not help?????:rolleyes: :D :crazy:

[SeekingJana]

Mean A tourniquet around the neck would not help?????:rolleyes: :D :crazy:

LOL, I'm sorry if you thought my post was stupid. I didn't mean it to be. Some people do not know where the femoral artery is.

[JDB]

LOL, I'm sorry if you thought my post was stupid. I didn't mean it to be. Some people do not know where the femoral artery is.

Nah I was be a smart AleC. The post was not stupid. I know freinds of mine would love to put the belt around my neck to stop bledding in the leg J/K

[BarnGoddess]

Question: What was he doing home Sunday night? I assume the Skins played on Sunday. I did hear at the beginning that he had an injury, but I understand he was last seen at a Saturday team meeting. Even if injured, don't players usually sit on the sidelines during the game? Was he at the game Sunday. If so, just how fast did he get home? Something doesn't smell exactly right.

[JDB]

Question: What was he doing home Sunday night? I assume the Skins played on Sunday. I did hear at the beginning that he had an injury, but I understand he was last seen at a Saturday team meeting. Even if injured, don't players usually sit on the sidelines during the game? Was he at the game Sunday. If so, just how fast did he get home? Something doesn't smell exactly right.

From what I am hearing. Because he was not playing on Sunday. He was excused from showing up at the game.Even if he was a the game in Tampa it would not take a long timne to get to his house.I wonder though if they got any prints off the knife that was left on his bed 8 days earlier?

[BarnGoddess]

From what I am hearing. Because he was not playing on Sunday. He was excused from showing up at the game.Even if he was a the game in Tampa it would not take a long timne to get to his house.I wonder though if they got any prints off the knife that was left on his bed 8 days earlier?
Thanks JDB, I didn't think about an away game. Tampa would be close enough to hop a flight, or even drive across Alligator Alley. All very strange. First troubling clue was the family not wanting any updates given by Jackson Memorial Hospital. First news was that only family was in the house at the time of the shooting. Very strange, but given the lives to excess of some young players, almost anything is possible.

[Luzer]

He suffered a knee injury in the Nov 11 game and was out for a few weeks.

I live less than 2 miles away from his home. I am very surprised I didn't hear any sirens that night. No, I never met him, never really heard about him till now.

The papers down here said he grew up in West Perrine, which is a very low income area and only about six miles west of his current home. West Perrine is a very rough part of town. It is kind of strange how you can have two very different neighborhoods so close to each other.

His father, Pedro, is the police chief of Florida City, 25 miles south of here and the gateway for the Keys. (Key Largo, down to Key West) I am not sure how long his father has served on the force or as police chief.

Sean's high school, Gulliver Prep, is a very expensive private school. The tuition is over $20000.00 per year. I bet he received a football scholarship to attend the school. Gulliver is also where OJ Simpson sent his two children to school after they moved here, although OJ lives about 6 miles north and 8 miles west. How about that???? You didn't guess there could be an OJ connection to this. Sean and his kids probably attended together.

The papers here also reported his phone lines were cut outside so the alarm system was down. (Our alarm system at work automatically calls cell numbers if the phone line is disconnected -I have to wonder why the security service did not do that for Sean.) The house also has a good-sized wall around it and a gate, but I guess they knew how to get in. Also, if you go east of his house, it would be less than a block walk to the ocean. No beaches there, I don't think, it would be stinky mangroves.

I have 3 scenarios as to why he was shot:

1. Someone in his family/circle owes money for gambling/drugs, etc. and Sean would not pay the debt for them so the debtor killed him.

2. He had a side girlfriend here and she/her family got tired of waiting for him to dump the baby mama.

3. Baby mama found out he had side girlfriends and told him no more or else and she had firends/family try to scare him into being faithful but it went horribly wrong.

I am willing to bet he had people from his childhood dragging him down still. (Like someone said: you run with dogs - you get fleas.) I will try to post more information if I see something that is only covered locally, not nationally.

Also, if anyone finds any background on his girlfriend, I would love to see that.

Tammie from Miami

[BarnGoddess]

Luzer, thanks for the info. I left S. Florida in 1994. I know Perrine from the old days, and know Florida City, but so many little areas pop up, so I am not familiar with them. I do know all about Gulliver as it's been around forever. Just like Ransom Everglades. Something is definitely out of balance here. Haven't kept up with the Redskins since the sixties. My oldest still coresponds with Sunny Jurgensen. We lived in the DC area back then and Sonny and my son met when he was a little tot.

[JDB]

Luzer Thanks for the info. But here is another rumor I am hearing.The knife left 8 days prior was a message to Sean.I really think this might be a ex lover of his girlfreind.That is why I am hoping the police found prints on the knife or the dresser drawers

[Paladin]

He suffered a knee injury in the Nov 11 game and was out for a few weeks.

I live less than 2 miles away from his home. I am very surprised I didn't hear any sirens that night. No, I never met him, never really heard about him till now.

The papers down here said he grew up in West Perrine, which is a very low income area and only about six miles west of his current home. West Perrine is a very rough part of town. It is kind of strange how you can have two very different neighborhoods so close to each other.

His father, Pedro, is the police chief of Florida City, 25 miles south of here and the gateway for the Keys. (Key Largo, down to Key West) I am not sure how long his father has served on the force or as police chief.

Sean's high school, Gulliver Prep, is a very expensive private school. The tuition is over $20000.00 per year. I bet he received a football scholarship to attend the school. Gulliver is also where OJ Simpson sent his two children to school after they moved here, although OJ lives about 6 miles north and 8 miles west. How about that???? You didn't guess there could be an OJ connection to this. Sean and his kids probably attended together.

The papers here also reported his phone lines were cut outside so the alarm system was down. (Our alarm system at work automatically calls cell numbers if the phone line is disconnected -I have to wonder why the security service did not do that for Sean.) The house also has a good-sized wall around it and a gate, but I guess they knew how to get in. Also, if you go east of his house, it would be less than a block walk to the ocean. No beaches there, I don't think, it would be stinky mangroves.

I have 3 scenarios as to why he was shot:

1. Someone in his family/circle owes money for gambling/drugs, etc. and Sean would not pay the debt for them so the debtor killed him.

2. He had a side girlfriend here and she/her family got tired of waiting for him to dump the baby mama.

3. Baby mama found out he had side girlfriends and told him no more or else and she had firends/family try to scare him into being faithful but it went horribly wrong.

I am willing to bet he had people from his childhood dragging him down still. (Like someone said: you run with dogs - you get fleas.) I will try to post more information if I see something that is only covered locally, not nationally.

Also, if anyone finds any background on his girlfriend, I would love to see that.

Tammie from Miami

I don't think it was #1. Debtors don't kill. They break kneecaps. They certainly can't collect money from you if you're dead. I think it was stated nothing was stolen from the house.

It sounds to me like a personal vendetta. Perhaps a lover's quarrel. Which makes me wonder if the girlfriend knows more than she's letting on.

[browneyes]

I know I heard this morning he has some type of weapons charge pending aginst him now, and the sports guys were saying something to the effect, of if you run with dogs, you get fleas-


He still didn't deserve to be murdered....he was a 24 year old young man with a child for heaven's sake who was trying to turn his life around. :hand:

[SeriouslySearching]

RIP Sean. You reap what you sow. You tried to distance yourself from an element that would not let you. They will be charged and probably found guilty...but you are none the less dead for knowing them. The company we keep seeps back to haunt us all.

[Mygirlsadie]

I thought these NFL types had money coming out the wazoo? I am assuming this guy lived in a mansion with gates surrounding it and top of the line everything to do with security.. I saw where the phone lines were cut BUT shouldnt that of sent some other kind of signal to the PD? How was someone able to break in this house? I assume it's not a flimsy trailer home... I am curious to find out the outcome of this murder. This was not just your everyday intruder this was someone from his inner-circle.

[kato]

On LKL last night it was said that Taylor's girlfriend/fiancee is a niece of the actor Andy Garcia. Her dad is his brother.

[2luvmy]

I thought these NFL types had money coming out the wazoo? I am assuming this guy lived in a mansion with gates surrounding it and top of the line everything to do with security.. I saw where the phone lines were cut BUT shouldnt that of sent some other kind of signal to the PD? How was someone able to break in this house? I assume it's not a flimsy trailer home... I am curious to find out the outcome of this murder. This was not just your everyday intruder this was someone from his inner-circle.

From the clips shown of the house, it didn't seem to be this awesome house that you usually see from top athletes/celebs. It looked just like a nice house.

[browneyes]

RIP Sean. You reap what you sow. You tried to distance yourself from an element that would not let you. They will be charged and probably found guilty...but you are none the less dead for knowing them. The company we keep seeps back to haunt us all.


SS, I respect you....but this post makes me sad. No need blaming the victim. He was a very young man....younger than my son. :(

[JDB]

RIP Sean. You reap what you sow. You tried to distance yourself from an element that would not let you. They will be charged and probably found guilty...but you are none the less dead for knowing them. The company we keep seeps back to haunt us all.

SS your post is telling me. That you do not know the full story. I have in the last few days read and heard many interviews about Sean. Once his child was born Sean made a 180 degree turn around.Unless you know what happened there is no need for these kind of post. We all have made mistakes in our life.And yes most of us change.

[browneyes]

SS your post is telling me. That you do not know the full story. I have in the last few days read and heard many interviews about Sean. Once his child was born Sean made a 180 degree turn around.Unless you know what happened there is no need for these kind of post. We all have made mistakes in our life.And yes most of us change.


Thank you..........:blowkiss:

[Squishified]

Andy Garcia "Taylor Saved my Neice" :

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/29/andy-garcia-taylor-saved-my-niece/

[Lurker]

Sean and Jackie have been together for 8 years. I doubt it was some kind of lover's ring. He had some trouble in 2005 with gun charges that were the result of someone trying to steal some 4 wheelers off his property. He had a machete next to his bed because he was trying to comply with his probation of not having weapons. His house has been broken into 2 times prior to Monday night but nothing was ever taken. This was a hit, plain and simple. He wasn't in Tampa because he was hurt. The team did not know that he was going to Miami but as Gibbs said, SUnday was a free day for Sean and he wouldn't have been surprised if he went to check on his house due to the 2nd break in 8 days prior. The guys that stole from him have lenghty criminal records and word has it that they've been after him for years. There was also an interview with one of Sean's best friends who plays for the Cardinals that he thinks this was a hit and that Sean's been afraid of these guys for 3 years.
He lived in a house with a top of the line security system and with a gate around it. For some reason the system was not turned on.

Not turned on? Or someone turned it off when they messed with the phones? Once again, nothing was taken and they perps went directly to the bedroom and shot Taylor. He pushed his girlfriend under the covers and very likely saved both her and his daughters lives. He had turned his life around in the past 18 months and was an asset to both the Skins and the community around DC. He will be sadly missed.

[Lurker]

More on Taylor and the kind of person he really was....

http://www.nbc4.com/sports/14712453/detail.html?dl=mainclick

RIP Sean!

[MissieMt]

RIP Sean. You reap what you sow. You tried to distance yourself from an element that would not let you. They will be charged and probably found guilty...but you are none the less dead for knowing them. The company we keep seeps back to haunt us all.
Wow. I have many people in my extended family that are less than stellar. I don't talk to them often-but my interaction with them could be misconstrued by people who do not know me. I also grew up in a very bad neighborhood-and slept with a big long stick with tape wrapped around the end so that it was kind of a club of sorts. Does that mean if i am somehow killed tomorrow that I had it coming?
However-I do agree that we reap what we sow and that is why I chose not to judge, lest I be judged. :twocents:

[Trino]

I think this guy had, indeed, turned his life around, but, unfortunately, he had some leftovers from his previous life. They were after him - why is yet to be determined. I truly hope this didn't involve yet another player involved in drugs.

[PrayersForMaura]

Wow. I have many people in my extended family that are less than stellar. I don't talk to them often-but my interaction with them could be misconstrued by people who do not know me. I also grew up in a very bad neighborhood-and slept with a big long stick with tape wrapped around the end so that it was kind of a club of sorts. Does that mean if i am somehow killed tomorrow that I had it coming?
However-I do agree that we reap what we sow and that is why I chose not to judge, lest I be judged. :twocents:

amen.

rip Sean

[Albert18]

Of course he didn't deserve to die but singing songs of sainthood doesn't help figure out what happened.

Wasn't random, probably wasn't intentional.

[Lurker]

I think the Miami police know more than they are letting on. This article was in the Post today, doesn't give much more info but it does answer some questions as to why they think it was random. I just don't buy the whole random theory. I think it was a planned hit or retaliation of some sort.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/29/AR2007112901648.html?hpid=topnews

[Taximom]

Per Fox:
3 arrested in Ft Myers (or detained for questioning), 1 a minor. Set up by these people when they thought he wouldn't be home (game).
http://www.miamiherald.com/

[PrayersForMaura]

shooting someone in the groin of all places seems pretty intentional to me.

His best friend may know who was after him. I hope they arrest the jerks who did this!
Sean's father was a police chief for years. This is so sad and senseless :(

[STEADFAST]

According to MSNBC, they've arrested three just now.

[Taximom]

Investigators believe the young men learned of Taylor's house through someone who unwittingly set up the burglary by bragging about the football star's wealth.
The suspects include a teenager and two men in their 20s who hail from the Fort Myers area. (from the article)
http://www.miamiherald.com/854/story/326903.html

[PrayersForMaura]

Per Fox:
3 arrested in Ft Myers (or detained for questioning), 1 a minor. Set up by these people when they thought he wouldn't be home (game).
http://www.miamiherald.com/


oh my, we must've posted at the same time!! I was just posting that I hope for an arrest!!

This is great news.

[oceanblueeyes]

Per Fox:
3 arrested in Ft Myers (or detained for questioning), 1 a minor. Set up by these people when they thought he wouldn't be home (game).
http://www.miamiherald.com/

I never thought Sean was the direct target in this case. From this news it seems it was the talk about the money he had made by someone who unwittingly didn't know these thugs would seize on that information.

They obviously didn't realize he would be home. They thought it would be a cake walk to rob the home when the only ones there were a young woman with a little girl.

At least Sean protected his family to the end.

imoo

[Lurker]

A little more info

http://www.local10.com/news/14736793/detail.html

[Lurker]

Personally, I still think there's more to this story. If these 3 supposedly heard how "rich" he was from someone bragging, how'd they know that there was a safe in the bedroom?

Jackie stayed with her parents when Sean wasn't home so that could be known.

I just don't get the whole part about them going directly to the bedroom and kicking in the door. Why would they think that no one was home if the bedroom door was locked? Don't most bedroom doors lock from the "inside"?

Something smells fishy in Miami. Where's Horatio?

[JDB]

I think the Miami police know more than they are letting on. This article was in the Post today, doesn't give much more info but it does answer some questions as to why they think it was random. I just don't buy the whole random theory. I think it was a planned hit or retaliation of some sort.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/29/AR2007112901648.html?hpid=topnews

Lurker of course they know more. They are not going to show all the cards.The more I read the more I am incline to think. This hadf nothing to do with Sean's past.There was an articlle with Frank Gore who went to UM with Sean and plays for the Niners in the paper yesterday.Frank siad that the hardest part of being a pro athlete is people know you now have the money. It mention the 2 basketball players that were robbed at gun point a few months ago in Chi town.

[Lurker]

Lurker of course they know more. They are not going to show all the cards.The more I read the more I am incline to think. This hadf nothing to do with Sean's past.There was an articlle with Frank Gore who went to UM with Sean and plays for the Niners in the paper yesterday.Frank siad that the hardest part of being a pro athlete is people know you now have the money. It mention the 2 basketball players that were robbed at gun point a few months ago in Chi town.

They're saying that his house was a target but not Sean himself. I don't buy that. I think it's a little of both. Considering the suspects are 17, 19 and 26, I'm sure they'll be falling all over each other to point fingers.

[Albert18]

By "not intentional" I meant I don't think they intended to kill him.

[Lurker]

By "not intentional" I meant I don't think they intended to kill him.


Yeah, that could just show they saw him coming and wanted to slow him down so they shot him in the leg. I doubt they were smart enough to know the exact spot to shoot someone and have them bleed out in a matter of minutes. I think if it was a hit on his life, there would've been multiple shots to the chest/head area.

[PrayersForMaura]

what about the knife someone left on his pillow a week earlier? i think he was targeted.

[Lurker]

what about the knife someone left on his pillow a week earlier? i think he was targeted.


Exactly! Though I have heard conflicting reports on that one. I heard that it was left on the bed in a spare room used by his mother or sister and that they dont' think it was a message but something that was used to pry something open and just left. Kind of fishy though once you put it all together.

[Elphaba]

It just came across the news here in DC that Taylor's brother and sister may be indirectly involved... THOUGH HOW IS NOT YET KNOWN. Derek McGinty just got the info from one of our reporters down there...

[Taximom]

Wow, Elphaba, that would truly suck. Sorry, can't think of any other words right now.

[oceanblueeyes]

what about the knife someone left on his pillow a week earlier? i think he was targeted.

The police on one of the shows said that was only a rumor about the knife.

imoo

[oceanblueeyes]

It just came across the news here in DC that Taylor's brother and sister may be indirectly involved... THOUGH HOW IS NOT YET KNOWN. Derek McGinty just got the info from one of our reporters down there...

Yes, they have been saying that someone unwittingly may have talked about how successful Sean was. I know that will haunt them forever.

Now they just said on Fox News there was a birthday party and they (the robbers) may have been invited and saw all the things that Sean had in his home.

imoo

[Warof2010]

Got four guys so far-- all involved - lwop.

[oceanblueeyes]

Got four guys so far-- all involved - lwop.

I missed the PC Buzz. Do they think that is all of them? Good grief it is a good thing his girlfriend and baby girl weren't killed or hurt.

I hope the DA sticks it to all of them.

So senseless.

Ocean

[Elphaba]

I have the news conference loaded on the pc, but I came in on it as the Spanish part of the conference started... wish my daughter was here to translate... my Spanish is not good at all. Ok... the conference is now over... waiting to see if WUSA9 puts a transcript up.

[CarpeDiem]

Four arrested in Taylor case; police anticipate 'murder, burglary' charges

MIAMI -- Police said two men and two juveniles arrested Friday in the shooting death of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor went to his home intent on stealing, not killing.

The suspects didn't expect Taylor to be home, said Miami-Dade County police Director Robert Parker, but Taylor was recuperating from a knee injury and had returned to Miami from Washington. When Taylor surprised them, he was shot.

"They were certainly not looking to go there and kill anyone," Parker said. "They were expecting a residence that was not occupied. So murder or shooting someone was not their initial motive."

. . .

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3135855

[czechmate7]

2 questions:

Didn't this guy have an alarm system??

and

The article I read says he got up and locked the bedroom door. If these guys were there to just steal things why would they bother kicking in a locked door....

[Warof2010]

2 questions:

Didn't this guy have an alarm system??

and

The article I read says he got up and locked the bedroom door. If these guys were there to just steal things why would they bother kicking in a locked door....He did have an alarm - it wasn't turned on.

They apparently didn't know anyone was in the bedroom, when they kicked in the bedroom door; they thought the house was empty.

[Warof2010]

I missed the PC Buzz. Do they think that is all of them? Good grief it is a good thing his girlfriend and baby girl weren't killed or hurt.

I hope the DA sticks it to all of them.

So senseless.

Oceanobe, they said that others could possibly be involved, but so far, just the four, the four who actively participated in the break-in, have been arrrested.

Yea, me too; lwop for all of them.

[czechmate7]

He did have an alarm - it wasn't turned on.

They apparently didn't know anyone was in the bedroom, when they kicked in the bedroom door; they thought the house was empty.
So, it just so happens that a week or so prior, during the 1st robbery the alarm wasn't on and after that robbers were able to come back and break in when the alarm wasn't on again? I don't think this sounds right...sorry...I think there is more to this story.

[Warof2010]

3 of 4 Taylor slaying suspects charged

MIAMI - Three of the four suspects held in the shooting death of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor were charged with unpremeditated murder early Saturday. Charles Wardlow, Eric Rivera and Venjah Hunte all faced the same charge in Taylor's death, a killing police said was unplanned and arose out of a burglary at the player's home. A fourth suspect, Jason Mitchell, was arrested but had not yet been charged with any crime. The suspects were expected to make their first appearance in a Fort Myers court Saturday.

Miami-Dade County police Director Robert Parker said the suspects didn't expect Taylor to be home when they broke in early Monday, but the Redskins safety was recuperating from a knee injury and had returned from Washington. When Taylor surprised them, he was shot. "They were certainly not looking to go there and kill anyone," Parker said. "They were expecting a residence that was not occupied. So murder or shooting someone was not their initial motive."

Authorities said they had more than one confession, but Parker would not elaborate.

The suspects all have prior arrests, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office records. Wardlow, 18, was arrested twice for selling marijuana and once for grand theft of a vehicle. Rivera, 17, had been arrested in October for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, and he previously was behind bars for altering the identification number on a firearm. Hunte, 20, was arrested this year on drug and trespassing charges. And Mitchell, 19, has been arrested twice, most recently in October on charges of driving with a suspended license and violation of probation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071201/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_redskins_taylor_slain;_ylt=AmH9.76vX5pvnMI52Xj vBQOs0NUE

The Miami Herald reported that Mitchell and Wardlow had connections to Taylor. Mitchell cut Taylor's lawn and did other chores at the house, Mitchell's twin brother, Scottie, told the paper. Taylor's sister, Sasha Johnson, dates Wardlow's older cousin Christopher, and Scottie Mitchell told the paper the couple invited Jason Mitchell to Johnson's birthday party within the past two months.

A woman who identified herself as Jason Mitchell's mother told the Naples Daily News her son was at a birthday party at Sean Taylor's home a couple months ago. She also said her son was at home all week and last weekend.

[CarpeDiem]

It's awful what happened to Sean Taylor and I just keep thinking about it. :( So senseless, in your own home, in bed and to be violated like that, murdered for nothing by a bunch of thugs looking for trinkets. And, I don't get the shooter being charged with unpremeditated murder. He shot twice. After the first, I think he knew what he was doing. Taking a loaded gun to a robbery, you can already see what he was willing to do.

[Dark Knight]

It's awful what happened to Sean Taylor and I just keep thinking about it. :( So senseless, in your own home, in bed and to be violated like that, murdered for nothing by a bunch of thugs looking for trinkets. And, I don't get the shooter being charged with unpremeditated murder. He shot twice. After the first, I think he knew what he was doing. Taking a loaded gun to a robbery, you can already see what he was willing to do.

Like many shootings, the 2 shots were probably fired in rapid succession. A panic response. People often assume that there is this lull in between shots where someone has all kinds of time to think and assess the situation, but that's not true. Someone can empty an entire clip in a few seconds if they are panicking, let alone 2 shots. So I can buy it maybe not being pre-meditated.

That being said, I think he was targeted IF the knife story turns out to be true. And it sounds like more and more connections between him and the 4 suspects are coming to light, as well.

Some people had said his house didn't look like a real bastion of security, which is unusual due to his fame and wealth, and the fact that there was a lot of crime in his neighborhood. You'd expect better protection from an NFL star.

[Dark Knight]

shooting someone in the groin of all places seems pretty intentional to me.

His best friend may know who was after him. I hope they arrest the jerks who did this!
Sean's father was a police chief for years. This is so sad and senseless :(

His other shot missed completely. I think it was just a very unfortunate location to hit. A couple inches either way and it would have missed the artery, I bet. :(

[nanandjim]

My question is: If this group of thugs really thought that the house would be empty, WHY DID THEY BRING THE GUN???

[CarpeDiem]

Yahoo slide show:

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sp/112707nflseantaylor/im:/071202/483/679611cc16b846caba2d56fd0cdadafb;_ylt=AjTcU0AqSZqA GNcTTExpY23NaMYA

[Taximom]

My question is: If this group of thugs really thought that the house would be empty, WHY DID THEY BRING THE GUN???

Nan! I was just thinking the same thing.

[Dark Knight]

My question is: If this group of thugs really thought that the house would be empty, WHY DID THEY BRING THE GUN???

With their lifestyle, maybe they always carried guns? Or it was just in case someone was home? I imagine a lot of criminals carry guns with no premeditated intention to commit murder, but are ready to do so if necessary. Maybe if he didn't have a machete in his hand they wouldn't have responded that way? I'm not saying he didn't have that right (although a gun would have provided better defense) but it may have spurred the person to shoot. I also think if there was premeditation to murder, they would have finished the job. It doesn't sound like they made any intention to make sure he was dead, nor did the try to kill the witnessess that were RIGHT there. Sounds like they did panic, shot at him, saw him go down, then ran, which is basically what LE is inferring.

[RiverRat]

Fort Myers = Fort Misery........Looooooooong Time High Crime Rate, home of The Lords of Chaos and way too close for comfort!

[Dark Knight]

Fort Myers = Fort Misery........Looooooooong Time High Crime Rate, home of The Lords of Chaos and way too close for comfort!

The Lords of Chaos haven't been active in over a decade, I don't think. And that was a fairly brief, but extremely violent, crime spree.

[Mygirlsadie]

Did anyone else notice that in one of these photos one of the killers is wearing a RIP t-shirt? Tell me that my eyes are misbehaving?!



Yahoo slide show:

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sp/112707nflseantaylor/im:/071202/483/679611cc16b846caba2d56fd0cdadafb;_ylt=AjTcU0AqSZqA GNcTTExpY23NaMYA

[browneyes]

I'm so glad they have arrested the creeps that killed Sean. I have been a Redskin fan for life and I just loved Sean Taylor and the intensity he brought to the game. He was really improving in his life as well as his football performance. I have been so saddened by this tragedy. I ordered my son and I "Sean Taylor' Jerseys so we can wear them when we go to the games.

God Bless his family, friends and the Redskin organization. :blowkiss:

[JanetElaine]

Yeah, Eric Rivera in picture 57 (and a few pictures after that, but there are only two different pics). That's weird. I'm assuming it is a picture of Sean on there?

[Bee Happy]

Idiots. smh


http://a653.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/m_c300262712fa0f1cb5225e47c1d07ccc.jpg
(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=105813923)http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndID=105813923 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=105813923)

http://a934.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/63/m_f77468244c44d799eb9fb02cf5b5b6f5.jpg
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=251964564 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=251964564)

http://a754.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/63/m_1bfbf3a73a5d0653bb95ba10a025a7a9.jpg
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=54829123 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=54829123)

http://a870.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/11/m_d0c89b7542eca2bd88e5e830b1dce955.jpg
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndID=134463045 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=134463045)

[CarpeDiem]

I'm so glad they have arrested the creeps that killed Sean. I have been a Redskin fan for life and I just loved Sean Taylor and the intensity he brought to the game. He was really improving in his life as well as his football performance. I have been so saddened by this tragedy. I ordered my son and I "Sean Taylor' Jerseys so we can wear them when we go to the games.

God Bless his family, friends and the Redskin organization. :blowkiss:

Nice post. I echo your sentiments.

[browneyes]

Nice post. I echo your sentiments.


Thank you!

[Paladin]

These people make me sick. They're ebaying off the Sean Taylor commemorative towels they gave away at the Redskins game yesterday: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=sean+taylor+towel&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=14221&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp= (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=sean+taylor+towel&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=14221&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=)

[CarpeDiem]

These people make me sick. They're ebaying off the Sean Taylor commemorative towels they gave away at the Redskins game yesterday: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=sean+taylor+towel&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=14221&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

Unreal! And that top bid is $127! Sad.

[Lurker]

Did anyone watch the snips of the funeral they showed on the news? Jackie's sisters speech had me completely in tears. Lavar Arrington and Clinton Portis's speeches were both pretty heartfelt as well. Such a sad day. Listening to people who really knew Sean brought to light the fact that many of the news outlets didn't really know the man that he was, they speculated on his past brushes with the law and labeled him as cocky because he didn't want to speak with them. It was really nice hearing the people that really knew him share their experiences with the kind of person he was on the inside.

ETA: Those idiots selling the towels on EBay are probably the same morons that don't know the meaning of "MOMENT OF SILENCE"!!! Grrrr

[Lurker]

Excellent article! I'm a huge Skins fan and I had no idea that Sean Taylor not only sponsored a little league team but also bought the championship rings! There's MUCH more than meets the eye.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/03/AR2007120302299.html

[Masterj]

These people make me sick. They're ebaying off the Sean Taylor commemorative towels they gave away at the Redskins game yesterday: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=sean+taylor+towel&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=14221&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

I am not surprised, unfortunately. I just read an article this morning about a guy who previously sued Evel Knieval and he was gleefully boasting about going after his estate for his settlement money. That's so pathetic.

[CarpeDiem]

A bit more info here on the crime, and the perps lovely new outfits:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/04/taylor.suspects/index.html

[Lurker]

Something still sounds fishy in all of this. IF they didn't think anyone was home, why would they kick open the bedroom door with the gun drawn?

And Sean's sister dated a relative of one of them as well, I bet she feels horrible right now since she unwittingly brought them all together.

[Paladin]

Something still sounds fishy in all of this. IF they didn't think anyone was home, why would they kick open the bedroom door with the gun drawn?

Ding ding ding ding ding! We have a winner!

That's the million dollar question.

[Lurker]

Ding ding ding ding ding! We have a winner!

That's the million dollar question.

I've been asking that all along and only hear things like, we'll why would they take it to begin with or they probably just carried it the whole time.

Seems to me that if I was a murderous, stealing thug and I didn't think someone was home while I stole what they worked for, I'd want both hands to get as much stuff as I could.

Such a shame about the suicide watch. I've never understood that whole aspect. I had to laugh that they made them wear vest for "suicide prevention". Don't they mean they made them where them so no one took them out while they walked to and from court?

[JDB]

Something still sounds fishy in all of this. IF they didn't think anyone was home, why would they kick open the bedroom door with the gun drawn?

And Sean's sister dated a relative of one of them as well, I bet she feels horrible right now since she unwittingly brought them all together.

My understanding from what I have read and herd is this. Sean and his G/F and child were not supposed to be home. Sean decided that since his knee was still bad he would take care of some home businees. When they heard noise in the house Sean got up and grabbed the machete ( Which BTW he had because his probation stated no firearms ) And then locked the bedroom door.I have a feeling the guys found the dorr locked and kicked it in not knowing Sean and G/F and child was behind the door. As they heard that is where Sean had a safe. The suspects paniced when seeing Sean and did fire 2 shots.I think that is why they are calling it not premeditaed.

[browneyes]

Excellent article! I'm a huge Skins fan and I had no idea that Sean Taylor not only sponsored a little league team but also bought the championship rings! There's MUCH more than meets the eye.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/03/AR2007120302299.html

Thanks Lurker for the great article. I am a huge Skins fan too.

Sean was like a lot of people in this world.....we only hear the negative things about them.....it's so sad. :(

RIP dear Sean!

[CarpeDiem]

Something still sounds fishy in all of this. IF they didn't think anyone was home, why would they kick open the bedroom door with the gun drawn?



That's a good question, but I don't know what exactly you are getting at when you say "fishy". At any rate, when the gun was drawn was it a showing off tactic in front of the other's? Did the shooter hear or see the door close/being locked and it freaked them? We know why they wanted in there - because of the safe that was kept in the bedroom. But, I don't think we know if they left with it or anything after murdering Sean.

[calidreamin]

This is just so sad. I don't think those thugs knew Sean and his family where home. I think they kicked in the bedroom door to get at the safe and when they saw Sean they panicked and shot him. Though if they hadn't been braking and entering and carrying guns around that poor man would still be alive and his family would still be with him.:(

[dark_shadows]

I've been asking that all along and only hear things like, we'll why would they take it to begin with or they probably just carried it the whole time.

Seems to me that if I was a murderous, stealing thug and I didn't think someone was home while I stole what they worked for, I'd want both hands to get as much stuff as I could.

Such a shame about the suicide watch. I've never understood that whole aspect. I had to laugh that they made them wear vest for "suicide prevention". Don't they mean they made them where them so no one took them out while they walked to and from court?
Dearest Lurker,:blowkiss:
The vest is not a bullet proof vest. It is a suicide prevention suit.
It looks like a dress that has velcro on the shoulders. I have place many inmates in this thing. I also have to say that anyone incarcerated has a check sheet that is filled out when they are processed in a facility to dtermine if they should be on suicide checks. Since these inmates were booked in a high profile case, that would deem them a suicide risk. Also everyone entering a facility is on suicide watch until they are booked and cleared of those watches.

Respectfully,
dark_shadows

[JDB]

What in the world is going on with our youth? According to this report the 17 year old di the shooting
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10511880

[CarpeDiem]

What in the world is going on with our youth? According to this report the 17 year old di the shooting
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10511880

OMG! :confused:

[Lurker]

Thanks DS, how does that prevent suicide? It looks like a bullet proof vest.

Also, is anyone else here as jaded as me? I think the perps are all fingering the 17 year old as the shooter because, well he's 17. I wonder why he's being charged as a juvenile or has that not been completely determined yet? I was thinking that one of the others may have done the shooting and they agreed for the 17 year old to say he did so he could be charged as a juvenile and out when he was 21?

And in "fishy" I mean I still think there's more to this story and to how those kids came to be in the house that night.


Well, if him being charged as a juvenile was their plan, that was blown out of the water. If that was the case, I expect a lot of jailbird singing going on now.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/05/taylor.suspects/index.html

[CarpeDiem]

Thanks DS, how does that prevent suicide? It looks like a bullet proof vest.



The perp can't rip the material to make strips to hang himself with.

[Warof2010]

Accused Taylor shooter wants plea deal

I guess he would want a plea deal - LWOP is the only deal I would make

MIAMI - An attorney for the 17-year-old accused gunman in the killing of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor said Wednesday he wants to work with prosecutors to resolve the case. Sawyer Smith, who along with his father Wilbur is representing Eric Rivera, said his client was admitting no wrongdoing yet. "When the State Attorney's Office is ready, we would like to sit down and begin discussion with them so we can move towards a resolution in the case that has the best interest of all parties in mind," Smith said. "We want to minimize the impact of case resolution on the Taylor family and find a result that's in the best interest of justice." Smith added: "Plea negotiations are typical in criminal cases. However, we don't know when or if that will occur."

Circuit Judge John Thornton Jr. denied Rivera bail Wednesday in his brief appearance via videoconference in a Miami-Dade County courtroom. His three co-defendants were denied bail a day earlier. All four — Rivera; Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20 — have been charged with first-degree felony murder and armed burglary. Their arraignments are this month. Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home. Police have said the 24-year-old player was a victim of a botched burglary.

Smith said he was happy Rivera had been moved to Miami and had his first appearance in court. He said he understood it most likely would be some time before prosecutors would speak with him. "When they're ready and in a position to discuss this case with us we're looking forward to that day," Smith said.

Wardlow's attorney, David Brener, distanced his client's actions from those of Rivera and said he expected to go to trial. "I believe that the acts of Mr. Rivera, who was the shooter of this case, constitute an independent act," Brener said Wednesday. "My client never contemplated that Mr. Rivera was going to arm himself or use lethal force against Mr. Taylor." Smith said the defense attorneys in the case have a history of working together, but he said he understood the grand jury's identification of his client as the alleged gunman puts him in a unique position. "The other boys may be in a position to separate themselves somewhat from our client," he said. "However, under the felony murder rule, if it can be shown that they're involved in it, if they're involved in the burglary, then it's not a defense that they were not the one that pulled the trigger."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071205/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_redskins_taylor_slain

[RiverRat]

10-20-Life

Mandates a minimum 10 year prison term for certain felonies, or attempted felonies in which the offender possesses a firearm or destructive device.

Mandates a minimum 20 year prison term when the firearm is discharged.

Mandates a minimum 25 years to LIFE if someone is injured or killed.

Mandates a minimum 3 year prison term for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Mandates that the minimum prison term is to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

The Department of Corrections website:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/10-20-life/index.html

[Warof2010]

10-20-Life

Mandates a minimum 10 year prison term for certain felonies, or attempted felonies in which the offender possesses a firearm or destructive device.

Mandates a minimum 20 year prison term when the firearm is discharged.

Mandates a minimum 25 years to LIFE if someone is injured or killed.

Mandates a minimum 3 year prison term for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Mandates that the minimum prison term is to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

The Department of Corrections website:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/10-20-life/index.htmlI like the 10 20 Life. Hoping that someday there will be tough uniform penalties across the states. Too many felons are out on our streets. Second offense - automatic - life - would be good.

[Lurker]

Sounds to me like they all figured the 17 year old would be charged as a juvenile so they fingered him as the shooter. Since he's being charged as an adult "he hasn't admitted to any wrongdoing".

I'm sure we'll find out the real story or closer to the real story once he starts singing.

[Lurker]

2 of the 3 suspects are linked to the earlier break ins at Taylor's house.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315788,00.html

[arielilane]

Yahoo slide show:

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sp/112707nflseantaylor/im:/071202/483/679611cc16b846caba2d56fd0cdadafb;_ylt=AjTcU0AqSZqA GNcTTExpY23NaMYA

Did anyone else notice that in one of these photos one of the killers is wearing a RIP t-shirt? Tell me that my eyes are misbehaving?!
Your eyes aren't misbehaving, Mygirlsadie. The a--hole is wearing a RIP t-shirt. It looks like it's Tupac Shakur on it???
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071201/capt.2464cceb292c4b8e9299bac8e231073c.redskins_tay lor_slain_ny115.jpg?x=400&y=297&sig=WLN5.EfIOTmB1IB_tRQWdQ--

[joe jones]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/16239987/detail.html

no DP for the 4 accused

[chicoliving]

One of five suspects charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and burglary.

Defense attorney Michael Hornung says that according to the plea agreement, Venjah Hunte will serve 29 years in prison and cooperate with prosecutors.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355935,00.html