MEMPHIS LINEMAN SHOT

Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Taylor Bradford was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman on the campus of the University of Memphis around 10:00 p.m. Sunday night, according to WREG-TV in Memphis.
Bradford was returning with friends to his apartment to get his keys, according to witnesses, when the gunman shot Bradford. Bradford was taken to a local hospital shortly afterwards, and died later that night.
The shooting took place at an apartment complex owned and operated by the University of Memphis. We wish there were other details here, but there’s not much at this point–just an incident so violent and random even WREG’s headline pops with a totally genuine exclamation point.












1
Sad and senseless
Comment by SpookyJuice — October 1, 2007 @ 8:58 am
2
Tragic story and a shame to hear….thoughts and prayers go out to Taylor Bradford’s family
Comment by Ryan — October 1, 2007 @ 9:24 am
3
Damned shame that is. Hope the killer burns.
Comment by skullsuga — October 1, 2007 @ 9:26 am
4
The sweet and sunny newslady’s comment about what was surely a wonderful weekend for everyone preceding the segment on Bradford goes well with the aforementioned exclamation point. If you’re Memphis I suppose it’s all a requisite on surviving the day though.
If I’m a D1 DL (RIP Pata) I’m staying the fuuuuuuck out of apartment complex parking lots from now on.
Comment by Othniel — October 1, 2007 @ 9:28 am
5
Condolences to his family and friends.
It sounds now like it wasn’t random.
“In an e-mail alert sent to faculty, staff and students at 3:40 a.m. Monday, officials wrote that “the initial investigation indicates this was an act directed specifically toward the victim and was not a random act of violence.”
Comment by BDoc — October 1, 2007 @ 9:29 am
6
the WWL is also saying the assailant may have been a fellow football player.
Comment by Dr. Jerry Donkey Punch — October 1, 2007 @ 9:40 am
7
Hmm. Northern Colorado part two? Only this time with players that actually matter and a fatality?
Sad.
Comment by CatFanInDC — October 1, 2007 @ 10:02 am
8
Truly, truly trajic.
Comment by TIGERinATL — October 1, 2007 @ 10:03 am
9
I mean *tragic* - damn
Comment by TIGERinATL — October 1, 2007 @ 10:05 am
10
Wow, i actually have two former high school teammates who play for Memphis right now.
Comment by SpookyJuice — October 1, 2007 @ 10:11 am
11
Damn…that’s just fucked up. RIP
Comment by Boston Nick — October 1, 2007 @ 10:16 am
12
Glad to see Dean Porter is doing right.
http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=ec3bc338-da38-4724-85ef-10e929515d75
Comment by Kevin Rawley — October 1, 2007 @ 10:57 am
13
Echoing the other messages: yes, very sad.
And if it indeed turns out to be a team mate (??!!), I’m sure the ninth level of hell - the one reserved for betrayers - can make room for ya.
Comment by I R A Darth Aggie — October 1, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
14
Prayers to the family. Memphis–battling to keep its sketchy title alive.
Comment by Meg — October 1, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
15
A poublic service request for any potential college campus gumen:
Take your weapon, turn it on yourself, and pull the trigger. Why injure or kill someone else when you could make things easier on the rest of us and simply eliminate yourself.
Doesn’t anyone just knuckle up and fight like a man anymore?
Comment by Rome — October 1, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
16
I hate to begrudge the factor that the kid was killed. Tragic, yes- but what was he doing with nearly 5-7K in his car and rumored to have spent time at a Casino over the weekend? Nothing good comes of any Student-Athletes spending time at a gambling location after a game or even before a game. Hell nothing good comes from being out after Midnight if you’re a high profile sports star in a football crazy town.
Kid died, that’s bad. Bad for the team, bad for the sport, horrible for his family, but there are many many more questions that Memphis has to ask itself here and it starts with the casino visits and all that money.
Comment by MrG — October 2, 2007 @ 2:21 am