Kansas City Chief's linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins and then turned a gun on himself early the morning of Saturday, Dec. 1, committing suicide in front of his coach and general manager at Arrowhead Stadium, local police said.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp confirmed it was Belcher, a fourth-year player from West Babylon, who played college ball at Maine. Police say there is currently no known motive, although did mention that the couple had been arguing a lot lately. The 25-year-old professional football player, and 22-year-old Perkins leave behind an infant child.
Belcher reportedly got into a heated argument with Perkins at her Kansas City home around 7 a.m., The Kansas City Star reported. At about 7:50 a.m. Belcher shot Perkins multiple times, says the newspaper. Perkins was transported to a local hospital where she was eventually pronounced dead. Belcher's mother, who was visiting the couple and their three-month-old daughter, reportedly witnessed the shooting and is currently being interviewed by police.
Police said afterwards, Belcher fled the scene, and drove to the Chiefs' practice facility near Arrowhead Stadium. The Star reported police were called to the stadium about 8:10 a.m. "When Belcher arrived at the facility, he encountered general manager Scott Pioli, coach Romeo Crennel and other team personnel. Police said Chiefs staff attempted to keep Belcher from committing further violence. When police arrived, they heard a gunshot and saw that Belcher had shot himself in the head," said Newsday.
Belcher reportedly thanked Pioli and Crennel before fatally shooting himself in the parking lot outside the team's practice facility, police spokesman Darin Snapp said. Police had the stadium locked-down by 8 a.m.
"We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning," the Chiefs said in a statement. "We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation."
Belcher graduated in 2005 from West Babylon High School, where he played linebacker, tackle, nose guard and fullback. The athlete was in his fourth season with the Chiefs and his third as a full-time starter after joining the Chiefs as an un-drafted free agent from the University of Maine, where he won 2008 CAA Conference defensive player of the year honors.
"By all accounts, Belcher showed no signs of having any issues in the past or recently," reported USA Today.
"He trained hard, practiced hard, didn't miss a game and was a good teammate in the locker room. He also was a regular participant in charity appearances, including a visit to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., this past spring to pay tribute to the troops and a stop at Oak Grove Elementary in Kansas City last fall as part of the NFL's 'Play 60' initiative" the newspaper continued.
The Chiefs have announced the team's Sunday game against the Carolina Panthers will go on as scheduled.
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