 Frank Eltman / AP Yamiesse Lawrence, left, and Quaresha Boston, standing next to Lawrence, a cousin and niece, respectively, of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, read a statement to the media in West Babylon, N.Y., on Monday. By NBC News and wire services After receiving a call about a disturbance involving an armed person, police officers arrived at the parking lot of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice facility, where they spotted several people. Then one of the people — who turned out to be linebacker Jovan Belcher — spotted police, and moved behind a vehicle. "From that position Belcher shot himself one time in the head," according to one of two incident reports released by the Kansas City (Mo.) Police Department on Monday. Belcher, 25, was taken to a hospital, where he died. The reports begin to piece together the events around the apparent murder-suicide by the Chiefs linebacker on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, police hope to deliver an investigative report to prosecutors Tuesday laying out what prompted Belcher to kill his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, who was mother of his 3-month-old daughter, and himself. "They're moving it along just like any other case," Kansas City police Sgt. Marisa Barnes told the AP. "There's a formal process it has to go through."  Jamie Squire / Getty Images file Inside linebacker Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs watches from the sidelines during his final game, against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 25. The other report released Monday recounts police responding to a call reporting a shooting that came in just nine minutes earlier, pointing them to the home Belcher shared with Perkins, 22. Upon arrival, they found Perkins on the floor of the master bedroom, unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. After shooting Perkins, Belcher drove his black Bentley to the practice facility, about 7 miles away, where he spoke briefly to Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, head coach Romeo Crennel and an assistant coach, before shooting himself. Kansas City police spokesman Darrin Snapp confirmed that the gun was one that Belcher had purchased legally. Snapp also said Monday that Belcher's mother, who had been staying with the couple, was given temporary custody of the couple's daughter, Zoey, the AP reported. Perkins' family released a statement Monday. They thanked the public for an outpouring of concern and support. "Our hearts are truly broken for Kasi was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, cousin and friend," the statement said. "At this time we request the media respect our privacy during this difficult time as we grieve for our loved one. Please keep us in your hearts and prayers as well as the Belcher family for two lives were lost." Perkins was a cousin of Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles' wife, Whitney, and it was through Whitney that she met Belcher, a friend told the AP on Sunday. Jamaal and Whitney Charles also released a statement. "Our family has suffered a personal tragic loss...." they said. "Kasandra was not only family, but a friend and a loving mother. As my actual family and my Kansas City Chiefs family have been altered forever, we ask that you keep us and most importantly their child in prayer." NBC News' Kari Huus contributed to this report. More content from NBCNews.com:
 |
12/03/2012
Details in Belcher murder-suicide emerge as families grieve
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment