There still have been no suspects identified in the murder of University of Memphis football player Taylor Bradford. The school, which cancelled classes yesterday due to the shooting, opened classes back today with no new information on the case.
Police said they could not yet determine the motive for the shooting, but do not think that this was a random act of violence. Their initial prognosis is that the assailants targeted Bradford, but are uncertain to how true their hypothesis is.
Bradford, 21, apparently was shot near his apartment complex Sunday night, then crashed a car he was driving into a tree a short distance away on campus. They have not determined whether he was shot before or after he started driving.
He was apparently shot once, police said, though an autopsy was pending.
"It wasn't until the paramedics got there that they determined there was a possible gunshot wound," said Bruce Harber, director of university police. He was apparently shot once, police said, though an autopsy was pending.
University President Shirley Raines said authorities quickly determined Bradford's killer or killers were not a threat to other students but still banned all outsiders from campus housing throughout the night.
In an e-mail alert to faculty, students and staff members early Monday, the university said "the initial investigation indicates this was an act directed specifically toward the victim and was not a random act of violence."
Witnesses saw two unidentified men running from the area where investigators believe the shooting occurred and other witnesses reported hearing gunfire, said Godwin, the city police director.
He said investigators had no evidence that Bradford was involved in any illegal activity.
Bradford, a 5-foot-11, 300-pound defensive lineman, was a junior who transferred to Memphis last year after two seasons at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. The Nashville resident was to play for the Tigers this season.
Monday afternoon, several football players and others tied a large red ribbon to the tree Bradford struck with his car and put up a large poster board for friends and acquaintances to leave personal notes.
The Memphis Tigers host Marshall University on Tuesday night, and a moment of silence was planned before the game.
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