bronco player killed in drive by shooting

[yogib37 3]

DENVER - Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early Monday morning.

Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene of the shooting and told him three people had been shot and that Williams had been killed.

A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that pulled up along its side, said Sonny Jackson, spokesperson for the Denver Police Department.

Three people in the limousine were hit and were taken to area hospitals, where one man was pronounced dead, Jackson said. The other man and woman who were shot were not identified.

Jackson said police were searching for the suspects and interviewing witnesses.

"We have no motive yet," Jackson said. "We're hoping to talk with witnesses to find out where they were coming from, and that might give us some clues."

Saccomano said he spoke with coach Mike Shanahan and others in the organization.

"Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy," Saccomano said.

Hours before the shooting, the Broncos lost to San Francisco 26-23 in overtime, eliminating them from the playoff race.

The 24-year-old Williams finished the season with 88 tackles, 78 of them solo, and four interceptions.

On Sunday against the 49ers, he had three tackles and returned two punts for 50 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury late in the second half.

Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2005, made an immediate impact on the Broncos, starting nine times in his rookie season following a stellar career at Oklahoma State, where he totaled 11 interceptions and scored three touchdowns on punt returns.

Players and coaches are off Monday. They were scheduled to meet Tuesday before heading home for the offseason.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Jasman0717 9]

That is so sad

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I live in Colorado near Denver, but don't know one Bronco player from another. Still, it is weird that anyone would shoot at any of them. They're pretty popular around here. Too bad; he was only 24.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Tragic. Was it a hit on him or just a random act?

[yogib37 3]

Tragic. Was it a hit on him or just a random act?

I dont know if it was a random act or he was a target.. still being invesagated.

Shows how quick your life can turn.. a few hours before he was shot he was in a football game.

I am sure the whole denver football team is in complete shock as well as other players in the NFL.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Tragic. Was it a hit on him or just a random act?

I dont know if it was a random act or he was a target.. still being invesagated.

Shows how quick your life can turn.. a few hours before he was shot he was in a football game.

I am sure the whole denver football team is in complete shock as well as other players in the NFL.

Since it was only hours after the Broncos lost to the 49'ers and are out of the playoffs, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a hit on him - perhaps a lot of money was on that game?

[Jenn! 918]

Tragic. Was it a hit on him or just a random act?

I dont know if it was a random act or he was a target.. still being invesagated.

Shows how quick your life can turn.. a few hours before he was shot he was in a football game.

I am sure the whole denver football team is in complete shock as well as other players in the NFL.

Since it was only hours after the Broncos lost to the 49'ers and are out of the playoffs, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a hit on him - perhaps a lot of money was on that game?

Aren't those sorts of hits usually on winners that weren't supposed to win?