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Broncos' Williams shot and killed after party
By Jake Schaller and Frank Schwab
The Gazette
(MCT)
DENVER - Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams had been dead of at least one gunshot wound for 14 hours Monday evening and the makeshift shrine was still taking shape.
After a New Year's Eve party, Williams was riding in a long, white H2 Hummer limousine when he and two others were hit by a drive-by shooter and the limo stopped near the corner of Speer Boulevard and 11th Avenue in Denver.
Barely a block away, eight candles, five stuffed animals, a Broncos jacket, three Broncos hats, a ticket stub to Sunday's 49ers game, flowers and a poster - with a pen to sign and leave messages - were offered as reminders of a 24-year-old player who brought excitement and the promise of greatness to Broncos fans.
"It's a shock," Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said before dawn Monday morning. "When someone starts the conversation, `Darrent Williams has been shot....'"
Monday evening, Denver police were looking for a white SUV, perhaps either a Tahoe or Suburban. The driver pulled up next to the limo as it moved north on Speer and shots were fired from the SUV, police say.
Besides Williams, an unidentified man and woman in the limo were also hit, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. The man was released from St. Anthony's Central Hospital but the woman will remain there for several days.
Police were investigating whether an altercation or argument involving Williams' group and another group at the party led to the shooting. Broncos running back Tatum Bell, who was not at the party, said a person in the limo told him there was an altercation.
"I do want them to bring his killer to justice," Williams' mother, Rosalind, said after arriving here from her home in Fort Worth, Texas. "I want that type of closure. I think we put guns in the wrong hands, and this is one of those times."
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan met Rosalind Williams at her hotel.
"Losing a fine young man such as Darrent Williams leaves me speechless with sadness," Shanahan said in a statement released by the team. "We all know that Darrent was an excellent player, but as a person, he was a first class young man who brightened every room with his smile, attitude and personality."
Police would not say who else was in the limo at the time because they are witnesses to the crime. Sources indicate Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker was among them. Walker, like other Broncos players and officials went to the team's facility in Englewood after the news broke. Riding in the back of a car with teammates, Walker and the teammates would not stop to talk to reporters waiting outside the facility.
Sunday night, just hours after the Broncos season came to a surprising end with a 26-23 loss to San Francisco, Williams and the others attended the party at The Shelter, located at 1037 Broadway. The night club occupies part of the three-story Jonas Brothers Fur Building, built in 1923 and registered among the state's historic properties. The organizers called the hip-hop gathering "Safari" and also promoted it as a birthday party for Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. The names of Williams, other Broncos and other Nuggets were on a flyer promoting the party, Martin said.
Martin said at Monday's practice that he spoke to Williams at the party but departed through a back door before midnight and without seeing any altercation.
"It's Darrent's life wasted over some nonsense probably," Martin said.
At the crime scene, multiple bullet holes could be seen in the driver's side of the limo, which was long enough for seven windows. The fifth window had three bullet holes. The sixth window had one hole. The last window in the back, which was part of the door, was blown out. The door was open and blood was visible on the car just below the bottom edge of the door. Below that, on the ground, snow was stained with blood.
Williams was rushed to Denver Health Center and pronounced dead shortly after 2:30 a.m., Jackson said.
Fellow cornerback Champ Bailey was among the teammates who went to the hospital. Bailey is perhaps the NFL's best cornerback, but he took time to help Williams improve. Williams showed an unusual mix of confidence and idol worship. He was very sure of his ability and not shy about saying so, but he greatly respected Bailey and soaked up all he could learn.
"I play alongside Champ Bailey, and I don't want to just be the guy on the other side," Williams said during the season. "I want to make a name for myself."
Williams was on his way to doing that. He was a second-round draft pick in 2005 after playing at Oklahoma State. He started nine games as a rookie, 15 of 16 in 2006 and was the Broncos' best punt returner.
Williams was a father of a 7-year-old son named Darius and 4-year-old daughter named Jaelyn.
Troy Asmus, who handled marketing deals as a part of Williams' agency, Momentum Sports, said he booked the limo for Williams. Asmus said Williams was trying to be careful on a night that often brings tragedy.
"He wanted to do the right thing," Asmus said. "No drinking and driving. He wanted to have a good New Year's."
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By Jake Schaller and Frank Schwab
The Gazette
(MCT)
DENVER - Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams had been dead of at least one gunshot wound for 14 hours Monday evening and the makeshift shrine was still taking shape.
After a New Year's Eve party, Williams was riding in a long, white H2 Hummer limousine when he and two others were hit by a drive-by shooter and the limo stopped near the corner of Speer Boulevard and 11th Avenue in Denver.
Barely a block away, eight candles, five stuffed animals, a Broncos jacket, three Broncos hats, a ticket stub to Sunday's 49ers game, flowers and a poster - with a pen to sign and leave messages - were offered as reminders of a 24-year-old player who brought excitement and the promise of greatness to Broncos fans.
"It's a shock," Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said before dawn Monday morning. "When someone starts the conversation, `Darrent Williams has been shot....'"
Monday evening, Denver police were looking for a white SUV, perhaps either a Tahoe or Suburban. The driver pulled up next to the limo as it moved north on Speer and shots were fired from the SUV, police say.
Besides Williams, an unidentified man and woman in the limo were also hit, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. The man was released from St. Anthony's Central Hospital but the woman will remain there for several days.
Police were investigating whether an altercation or argument involving Williams' group and another group at the party led to the shooting. Broncos running back Tatum Bell, who was not at the party, said a person in the limo told him there was an altercation.
"I do want them to bring his killer to justice," Williams' mother, Rosalind, said after arriving here from her home in Fort Worth, Texas. "I want that type of closure. I think we put guns in the wrong hands, and this is one of those times."
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan met Rosalind Williams at her hotel.
"Losing a fine young man such as Darrent Williams leaves me speechless with sadness," Shanahan said in a statement released by the team. "We all know that Darrent was an excellent player, but as a person, he was a first class young man who brightened every room with his smile, attitude and personality."
Police would not say who else was in the limo at the time because they are witnesses to the crime. Sources indicate Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker was among them. Walker, like other Broncos players and officials went to the team's facility in Englewood after the news broke. Riding in the back of a car with teammates, Walker and the teammates would not stop to talk to reporters waiting outside the facility.
Sunday night, just hours after the Broncos season came to a surprising end with a 26-23 loss to San Francisco, Williams and the others attended the party at The Shelter, located at 1037 Broadway. The night club occupies part of the three-story Jonas Brothers Fur Building, built in 1923 and registered among the state's historic properties. The organizers called the hip-hop gathering "Safari" and also promoted it as a birthday party for Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. The names of Williams, other Broncos and other Nuggets were on a flyer promoting the party, Martin said.
Martin said at Monday's practice that he spoke to Williams at the party but departed through a back door before midnight and without seeing any altercation.
"It's Darrent's life wasted over some nonsense probably," Martin said.
At the crime scene, multiple bullet holes could be seen in the driver's side of the limo, which was long enough for seven windows. The fifth window had three bullet holes. The sixth window had one hole. The last window in the back, which was part of the door, was blown out. The door was open and blood was visible on the car just below the bottom edge of the door. Below that, on the ground, snow was stained with blood.
Williams was rushed to Denver Health Center and pronounced dead shortly after 2:30 a.m., Jackson said.
Fellow cornerback Champ Bailey was among the teammates who went to the hospital. Bailey is perhaps the NFL's best cornerback, but he took time to help Williams improve. Williams showed an unusual mix of confidence and idol worship. He was very sure of his ability and not shy about saying so, but he greatly respected Bailey and soaked up all he could learn.
"I play alongside Champ Bailey, and I don't want to just be the guy on the other side," Williams said during the season. "I want to make a name for myself."
Williams was on his way to doing that. He was a second-round draft pick in 2005 after playing at Oklahoma State. He started nine games as a rookie, 15 of 16 in 2006 and was the Broncos' best punt returner.
Williams was a father of a 7-year-old son named Darius and 4-year-old daughter named Jaelyn.
Troy Asmus, who handled marketing deals as a part of Williams' agency, Momentum Sports, said he booked the limo for Williams. Asmus said Williams was trying to be careful on a night that often brings tragedy.
"He wanted to do the right thing," Asmus said. "No drinking and driving. He wanted to have a good New Year's."
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