JAGUAR PLAYER SHOT AND IN CRITICAL CONDITION

[77danj7]

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« Man shot, killed in ArlingtonJaguar shot, faces “life-threatening” injuries
By RAND MIRANDA
The Times-Union

A Jacksonville Jaguar is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a shooting incident early this morning.

Richard Collier, 27, an offensive tackle in his third year with the Jaguars, was shot at about 2:45 a.m. while sitting in a vehicle parked in the 2300 block of Riverside Avenue, said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ken Jefferson.


CollierJefferson said Collier and former Jaguar Kenneth Pettway had been out clubbing in the San Marco area when they met two females. The two men followed the women to Riverside near St. Vincent’s Medical Center, police said, with the plan to drop the females’ vehicle off and continue socializing in one vehicle.

While waiting outside the Riverside apartment, Jefferson said, someone walked up the vehicle and fired off a number of shots into the vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade, striking Collier, who was behind the wheel. Pettway was not injured in the attack.

Jefferson said it was unknown if there was one or multiple assailants. Authorities said they did not know of a motive for the shooting.


PetwayJefferson said the two women “appeared shocked” by the shooting. He said authorities did not know if the two men were involved in any altercation or incident earlier in the night, or if the shooting was random and not connected to the two players personally.

Collier is listed by the Jaguars as a 6-7, 345-pound offensive tackle and was expected to play this season on special teams as well as on the offensive line.

Pettway, a backup defensive end, was released by the Jaguars on Saturday after several seasons with the team.

In November 2007, Collier was arrested by Jacksonville police for driving under the influence. He was suspended by the team for two games but signed a contract extension in May

[copperfiend]

Seems to me like they were set up but who knows. Do most newspaper utilize the word "clubbing"?

[Coolyfett]

Definitely sounds like a set up. Meet some chicks at Square One and got got set up....reminds me of the Washington Redskins situation in Miami last year. I hope dude pulls through. That part of Riverside is near King & Riverside Ave...I think that is the 2300 blk......not sure exactly. This sux though.

[Jason]

Anything new?  How is he doing?

[copperfiend]

He is paralyzed and had a leg amputated.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/breaking/news-article.aspx?storyid=119976&catid=17

[thelakelander]

I just heard this on the radio.  That's sad to hear.  I didn't realize that he had been shot 14 times.

[BridgeTroll]

Yeah... so you can pretty much rule out a botched robbery or car jacking.  Somebody had a grudge... they wanted him dead.

[Matt]

That is terrible, and I know it is hard to call it a 'bright side', but I'm thankful that he is alive, after 14 shots. Is he stable?

[BridgeTroll]

Soon to be released from Shands.

[Jason]

Wow, I had no idea it was 14 shots either.  He is one helluva fighter to come out of that.

[ProjectMaximus]

http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/10/18/arrest-made-in-vicious-shooting-attack-on-jaguars-player/

[Keith-N-Jax]

Lets just hope it is the right person. If so he deserves whatever punishment they have in store for him.

[Coolyfett]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/17754358/detail.html

Dude got his ass whooped and couldn't swallow his pride.



This is what I call a HATER.

[ac]

A thread went up on Jaguars.com's MB, quoting the Folio's Best of Jax article:

In their 10-21-08 Issue entitled "Hope Against Hope", Folio has an article with their "2008 Best of..." for Jacksonville.

For the category of "Best Reason to Diss the Jaguars", they list, ready for this?

"They get shot."

WTF Folio?

I know from past reading the Folio staff clearly aren't Jag fans, but this crosses the line.

Even if it was thinly veiled as a dig at the organization, it's clearly in reference to Richard Collier.  To make light of a man who, regardless of the reason or his place of employment was shot, paralyzed, and had his leg amputated- ending his career and nearly his life- is beyond the pale.  The man did nothing in his time in Jax that warrants such a flippant and callous remark. 

Folio staff may not have originated the above line, but they're certainly responsible for the content they allow to be published.  I'm shocked that this statement made it to print, and disappointed that a publication I halfway respected stoops so low as to make light of anyone being shot, regardless of their profession.

This town has a serious problem with crime and violence.

It wasn't funny, wasn't cute, wasn't snarky.  It's just pathetic and heartless. 

[ProjectMaximus]

wow...that's quite surprising and disturbing.