Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Jovan Belcher shot himself at Arrowhead Stadium this morning after he allegedly murdered his girlfriend at a house nearby.
Details about the murder suicide are still sketchy at the moment. Danny Parkins of 610 Sports Radio in KC, reports that Belcher was confronted by his coaches this morning in the parking lot of at the stadium. Members of the Chiefs staff tried to calm Belcher down but he eventually turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.
Police have not released the identity of the woman but according to NFL.com she and Belcher had a 3-month old child together.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp described the incident, saying:
“About (7:50 a.m), we got a call to a residence, in regards to a shooting, on the 5400 block of Crysler Avenue … We arrived and the lady there informed us that her daughter had been shot by her on-again, off-again boyfriend. 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. 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.”
The Big Lead reports that the The Chiefs’ Arrowhead practice facility was evacuated and put under lockdown after the shooting.
The Chiefs released a statement saying that there had been an incident at the facility but they did not specifically named Belcher. Multiple other sources have confirmed that the 25-year-old linebacker was the player involved in the murder suicide.
The Chiefs said:
“We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”
Pro Football Talk reports that Chiefs players are currently gathering at the stadium and being told about the situation. The team is scheduled to play the Panthers tomorrow afternoon at the stadium.
Belcher attended the University of Maine and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He became a starter during his rookie season.
UPDATE: Kansas City Chiefs Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt released a statement saying:
“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.”