A former NFL defensive back, Eric Patterson, was found shot to death on Saturday in Tampa, Fl.
Auhorities say the ex-New England Patriot, Indianapolis Colt and St. Louis Ram was killed in the early morning hours at his home.
Patterson’s roommate, whose name has not been released, was awakened by a commotion and came out to find an unknown suspect and Patterson lying on his back, police said. Patterson had apparently been shot.
The suspect fled the house and ran south for several blocks to a white sport utility vehicle, police said. Responding officers began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived and took Patterson to a local hospital, where he died.
Police said the shooting does not appear to be random. No other details have been released.
Patterson played football at Plant High School before going to college at Ball State in Indiana.
After graduating from Plant, Patterson went on to play at Ball State in Indiana. In 2015, he was signed and released by the Patriots and then signed with Colts. He debuted for the Colts in week two and was waived by the team after two games. He also played a game for the Rams in 2015.
Patterson signed with the Cleveland Browns in May 2016 and was released the following September.
Among those mourning is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy, who tweeted his son Eric played with Patterson at Plant.
