Family and friends of slain Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor disputed the police theory that his killing was random Thursday, while law enforcement officials continued to look for the mysterious intruder who shot and killed the football star.
Taylor’s mother, Donna Junor, speaking publicly for the first time Thursday, said she has her own ideas about her son’s death but she prefered to let the police investigation play out.
“It’s very hard to say,” Junor told a group of reporters outside her South Florida home. “But I have some thoughts in my mind.”
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker said on Wednesday that detectives have found no evidence Taylor knew the shooter. Police believe Taylor was shot after he interrupted a burglar who had broken into the home early Monday.
Former University of Miami teammate and current Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle told The Associated Press that the death was not a burglary. Rolle, who played football with Taylor beginning at age 6, said he believes Taylor was targeted by former friends upset that Taylor was trying to build a new life with his girlfriend and their 1-year-old daughter.
“I know he lived his life pretty much scared every day of his life when he was down in Miami because those people were targeting him,” Rolle said. “At least he’s got peace now.”
Parker said police were still investigating a possible link to a Nov. 17 break-in at Taylor’s home, during which they said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.
“We have no reason to think this was anything other than a burglary or a robbery involving an intruder,” he said.
Funeral serviceswill be held Monday at Florida International University in Miami. Redskins owner, Daniel Snyder, is arranging for the entire Redskins organization to attend.
Taylor, 24, was home asleep with his girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, and their 1-year-old daughter early Monday when they were awakened by a noise in the house, authorities said. Garcia is the niece of actor Andy Garcia.
Taylor grabbed a machete, told his girlfriend to remain in bed, ran toward the sound of the noise and then was shot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
