Sean Taylor dead at 24

[austinsm11]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3129406

I knew he had been shot, but didn't realize it was that bad.

"According to a preliminary investigation, it appears that the victim was shot inside the home by an intruder," Miami-Dade County police said in a statement. "We do not have a subject description at this time."

The attack came just eight days after an intruder was reported at Taylor's home. Officers were sent to the home about 1:45 a.m. Monday after Taylor's girlfriend called 911....

In last week's break-in, police said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.


Sounds like someone was after him.

[CarlE]

Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but there is a LOT of history with Taylor and gang-related issues. This is tragic for sure, but not unexpected by some in South Florida I believe.

[crackerman]

My Thoughts. At first I thought he was crazy for this theory then I really thought about it. This is an NFL player worth millions of dollars. Why would he not have an alarm system or video system at his home to begin with...let alone after being broken into a week ago. Also, she said that he pulled a machette (sp) knife from under the bed to try to go after the intruder. What NFL player from Miami U wouldnt have a gun in his house? A Machette? This isnt nmortal combat.

Either way... Those who knew Taylor said he had changed his life and those who knew him said he was really doing well in this aspect. God bless his family, his child left behind and all of his personal friends. He was a hell of a ball player but hopefully he will be remembered by those who truly knew him as a hell of a person.

[austinsm11]

My Thoughts. At first I thought he was crazy for this theory then I really thought about it. This is an NFL player worth millions of dollars. Why would he not have an alarm system or video system at his home to begin with...let alone after being broken into a week ago. Also, she said that he pulled a machette (sp) knife from under the bed to try to go after the intruder. What NFL player from Miami U wouldnt have a gun in his house? A Machette? This isnt nmortal combat.


I had the same thoughts as well. You would think that he would have an excellent security system...especially if someone just broke in a week ago. And what good is a machette if someone is coming at you with a gun?

[massillon catholic]

How many Canes players does this make now?

[MTigers006]

Five since 2002. It was just on CNN. My condolences to the Redskins and everyone who knew and was related to Sean. May he rest in peace and always be remembered as someone who tried to make a difference and be a positive influence.

[massillon catholic]

Five since 2002. It was just on CNN. My condolences to the Redskins and everyone who knew and was related to Sean. May he rest in peace and always be remembered as someone who tried to make a difference and be a positive influence.


Five since 2002. Sounds like something is very wrong down there.

[CarlE]

I thought I heard on the news this morning that the phone lines had been cut, which would have rendered a security system worthless. At least that is what was on FoxNews.

[massillon catholic]

I thought I heard on the news this morning that the phone lines had been cut, which would have rendered a security system worthless. At least that is what was on FoxNews.


Not the entire security system

[crackerman]

Then 3 things in my book (i think I remember them saying that the gf tried to call on a landline phone but it was dead now that you mention it Carle):

1) They knew the house and property well to know where the lines were.

2) With the money he has, there is no way to get a system to where if your
lines are cut it doesnt notify someone?

3) If they knew that much then they knew he was home.

[massillon catholic]

Then 3 things in my book (i think I remember them saying that the gf tried to call on a landline phone but it was dead now that you mention it Carle):

1) They knew the house and property well to know where the lines were.

2) With the money he has, there is no way to get a system to where if your
lines are cut it doesnt notify someone?

3) If they knew that much then they knew he was home.


Alarms at the house will still go off even if the phone lines are cut.

[ReineyKicker15]

Truly a terrible trajedy no matter what or why it happened. The Redskins are my team but this goes way beyond football. Condolences to family and friends.

[football49]

Our prayers go out to his family and friends

[monte81]

One heck of a football player was lost yesterday and my prayers go out to his family as well. However, I never understood the Miami players who grew up in Dade County still stay in Dade County with all the drugs and gangs in the city and County---they are targets and all players know the major players from the neighborhood. You make millions of dollars you have to have solid friends and family as well as positive surroudings. My brother called me shock up because he loved Taylor's aggression as a safety and always talked about his stellar play on the field.

On a side note: Makes you think Tank Johnson is not so bad for spending a few months in prison and 8 games without pay fot having his guns! Bet noone tries to break into his house though!!

MC--- some security systems are connected to phone lines and others are not. Depends on what type of system was installed at Taylor's home. it sounds like this was no random break in and someone specically wanted to kill Sean Taylor. I know with his past and high profile I would of had cameras and screens displayed in my house---but thats just me and my paranoia!!!

[Kamd50]

I know with his past and high profile I would of had cameras and screens displayed in my house---but thats just me and my paranoia!!!

That's just you and your common sense, Monte. For whatever reasons exist that this occured, it is a very sad tragedy on all levels, especially being only 24 years old and leaving a baby behind that will never have the chance to know his father.

[monte81]

That's just you and your common sense, Monte. For whatever reasons exist that this occured, it is a very sad tragedy on all levels, especially being only 24 years old and leaving a baby behind that will never have the chance to know his father.

However something to me just doesn't seem right with the whole situation. No harm was done to the 4 year old or the girlfriend, What's up with the security system, he has no security people around, etc,... something is really funny about this to me!!!

INSIDE JOB?????

[Kamd50]

The latest on the suspects and arrests:

excerpt:
Jason Mitchell, 19, appeared briefly via videoconference in a Fort Myers courtroom, about 100 miles from here. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, he responded quietly when asked if he understood the charges.

"He looks like he's in shock," said Sawyer Smith, one of his attorneys.

Three others - Eric Rivera, 17; Charles Wardlow, 18; and Venjah Hunte, 20 - made their first court appearance Saturday.

All four have been charged with unpremeditated murder, home invasion with a firearm or another deadly weapon and armed burglary. They will be transported to Miami, though authorities haven't said when.

Probable cause affidavits for Mitchell and Rivera obtained by the Associated Press said the two confessed to participating in armed burglary. According to the reports, Mitchell and Rivera admitted entering the home and said someone had a gun and shot Taylor, but they didn't identify who. Police and attorneys also have said some of the young men confessed, though they wouldn't elaborate.

Taylor died Tuesday, one day after being shot at his home in an affluent Miami suburb. Police said the suspects were looking for a simple burglary, but it turned bloody when they were startled to find Taylor home.

The suspects all have prior arrests, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office records.

Wardlow was arrested twice for selling marijuana and once for grand theft of a vehicle, and Hunte was arrested previously this year on drug and trespassing charges.

Mitchell has been arrested twice, most recently in October on charges of driving with a suspended license and violation of probation. Rivera was arrested in October for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, and he previously was behind bars for altering the identification number on a firearm.

Those who know the young suspects attempted to defend them.

Cordaveous Brown, 16, who said he was a close friend of Rivera, described the suspect as calm and quiet. "He's not the type of guy to do something like this," he said. A woman who identified herself as Wardlow's grandmother called him "a sweet young man," and Jose Ortiz, a 36-year-old neighbor of Hunte, said he'd never heard of any problems or trouble surrounding the accused.

Smith, who represents Mitchell and Rivera, simply said the suspects were terrified.

Police remain tightlipped about how the suspects wound up at Taylor's home. The Miami Herald reported Mitchell cut the player's lawn and did other chores at the house and that Taylor's sister Sasha dates Wardlow's cousin. The Naples Daily News quoted a woman who identified herself as Mitchell's mother as saying her son was at a birthday party at Taylor's home within the past two months.

Full story here:http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=7631

[CarlE]

I love how friends and relatives are defending this scum. Fry their asses until they are unrecognizable.

[SternRulz]

Smith, who represents Mitchell and Rivera, simply said the suspects were terrified.

Funny...they were badasses until they got caught. I don't feel sorry for any of them.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

I have no pity and no compassion for the four teens. I'm behind the man who is courageous, awesome, royal, loaded, empowered, dominant, worthy, admirable, radically, dazzling, empirical, intelligent, superb, eloquent, noted, bold, ready, emphatically, intense.

Let those four teens face justice the way it is expected.

[CarlE]

Smith, who represents Mitchell and Rivera, simply said the suspects were terrified.

Funny...they were badasses until they got caught. I don't feel sorry for any of them.

WHAT? We agree on something??? God Bless us, every one.