Associated Press
Published: Monday, January 01, 2007
DENVER -- Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early this morning, police said.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said that a little after 2 a.m. Mountain time, the white Hummer limousine that Williams and two others were travelling in was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that came up alongside it.
He said all three people in the limousine were hit and taken to hospital, where Williams was pronounced dead.
The other victims, a male and a female, were not identified and their conditions are not immediately known.
Jackson said police continue to search for the suspects and are interviewing witnesses.
Hours before the shooting, the Broncos lost to San Francisco 26-23 in overtime, eliminating them from the playoff race. In that game, Williams had a sack, a forced fumble, and led the team with seven sacks.
Williams, a second-round pick in the 2005 draft out of Oklahoma State, started nine games as a rookie due to injuries.
This season, he took over as the starter for Lenny Walls, alongside Champ Bailey, and was second on the team with four interceptions and tied for third with 86 tackles.
Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said he had spoken with Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan and others in the organization.
“Complete shock. We’re speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy,” Saccomano said
