NFL

Police Not Searching for Suspects in Steve McNair Shooting

Posted Jul 05, 2009 11:20AM By FanHouse Newswire (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Titans, NFL Police Blotter

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Steve McNair Crime SceneNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Police worked Sunday to unravel the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and his friend, a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium.

McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead on a sofa in the living room Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. His friend, Sahel Kazemi, was very close to him on the floor, killed by a single gunshot. A pistol was discovered near her, but police said it took a while to find the firearm.


Authorities didn't immediately say who was to blame for the killings, but they weren't looking for any suspects.

Robert Gaddy called 911 after being alerted by a friend that something was wrong with McNair. Gaddy had been friends with McNair since they played at Alcorn State. Police asked him not to discuss what he saw in the condo or McNair's relationship with Kazemi.

"I want people to know that Steve did not deserve this. A person as great as Steve McNair did not deserve to have his life ended in such a fashion," Gaddy told The Associated Press on Sunday morning.

McNair, 36, and Kazemi were together just two days earlier, when she was pulled over driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. She was arrested on a DUI charges, and he was allowed to leave in a taxi.

McNair and Kazemi apparently knew each other from a restaurant the quarterback and his family frequented, but workers there wouldn't talk about their relationship. Police also refused to release any details about their relationship, simply calling Kazemi a "friend."

Autopsies were planned for Sunday.

Steve McNair Tragedy

    This combo shows Steve McNair, left, in a 2003 season file photo and Sahel Kazemi is shown in this undated booking photo from the Davidson County Sheriff. McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead Saturday July 4, 2009 with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. Police said a pistol was discovered near the body of a woman, identified by Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron, as 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi also shot dead in a downtown condominium. She had a single gunshot wound to the head. (AP Photo)

    AP

    Sahel Kazemi is shown in this undated booking photo from the Davidson County Sheriff. Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron identified the woman found with former NFL quarterback Steve McNair Saturday July 4, 2009 as 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, whom he called a "friend" of McNair's. She had a single gunshot wound to the head. (AP Photo/Davidson County Sheriff via The Tennessean) *** MAndatory Credit: The Tennessean ***

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    ** FILE ** Steve McNair, shown in this 2003 season file photo. McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead Saturday July 4, 2009 with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. Police said a pistol was discovered near the body of a woman also shot dead in a downtown condominium. (AP Photo/file)

    AP

    A police officer gets ready to process the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. The former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police remove a body out of the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and that the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police remove a body out of the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and that the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police remove a body out of the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. The former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police bring up a stretcher to the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. The former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police officers look over the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and that the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP

    Police hold up a sheet as a body is taken out of the Nashville apartment where Steve McNair was shot on Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times and that the 20-year-old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head according to Nashville Police. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)

    AP


Police spokesman Don Aaron said McNair's wife, Mechelle, is "very distraught."

"At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved," he said. "Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no."

Fred McNair, Steve McNair's oldest brother, said some family members likely will travel to Nashville on Monday to consult with Mechelle.

"It's still kind of hard to believe," Fred McNair said. "He was the greatest person in the world. He gave back to the community. He loved kids and he wanted to be a role model to kids."

He said he did not know who Kazemi was.

The bodies were discovered by McNair's longtime friend, Wayne Neeley, who rents the condo with McNair. Neeley told authorities he went into the condo, saw McNair and Kazemi, but walked first into the kitchen before going back into the living room.

Neeley then called Gaddy, who alerted authorities. Gaddy called McNair's death a tragedy for the McNair family.

"People have certain things that they do in life. We don't need to look on the situation at this time (but) on the fact we just lost a great member of society," Gaddy said.

Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi's vehicle was already there. The condominium is located within walking distance of an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, a few blocks from the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans' stadium.

Remembering Steve McNair

    Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Steve McNair is remembered for being an incredibly hard worker, a dedicated teammate and a true NFL leader. Click through the gallery to recap McNair's memorable 13-year career.

    Ronen Zilberman, AP

    McNair signed a seven-year contract with the Houston Oilers after being selected third overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. As a prolific quarterback at Alcorn State, he shattered Division I-AA records, won the Walter Payton Award, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting behind Rashaan Salaam and Ki-Jana Carter.

    Mark Phillips, AFP / Getty Images

    During his early NFL career, McNair remained a backup to Chris Chandler until starting a game in December 1996 against the Jaguars. In his first season as the Oilers' starter in 1997, he led the team to an 8-8 record, and his 2,665 passing yards were the most for the Oilers since Warren Moon in 1993. He also collected 674 yards on the ground, the third-highest total for a quarterback in NFL history.

    Pat Sullivan, AP

    McNair developed a special bond with his teammates as the franchise progressed and the team's name was changed to the Tennessee Titans. With emerging stars such as wide receiver Derrick Mason, pictured, McNair led the Titans to victory in seven of their last nine games during the 1999 season. Tennessee finished with a 13–3 record and second place in the AFC Central.

    Elsa, Getty Images

    McNair and the Titans battled throughout the 1999 playoffs, including a shocking wild-card win over Buffalo on a play dubbed the "Music City Miracle." His most notable drive came in Super Bowl XXXIV, when he carried the Titans 87 yards in the final minute and 48 seconds, only to come up just shy when Kevin Dyson was tackled at the 1-yard-line. The Titans lost 23-16 in a heartbreaker.

    Morry Gash, AP

    Despite missing two games with an injured calf and ankle during the 2003 season, McNair finished with the best numbers of his career -- including 24 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 100.4. McNair and Peyton Manning were named co-NFL MVPs following the season. "I'm sharing it with Peyton Manning, I'm sharing it with a great guy," said McNair.

    John Russell, AP

    Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, left, told The Tennessean that he'll always remember McNair as one of his favorite players. "It is an extremely emotional moment and I don't have the words to explain how I am feeling." Fisher, who was on his way back from the inaugural NFL-USO Tour in the Persian Gulf, was especially close to McNair during their decade of working together.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    McNair, referred to as a "warrior" by former teammate Al Del Greco, fought through numerous aches and pains during his career. He missed eight games in 2004 with a bruised sternum, but rebounded for a successful closing season with the Titans in 2005.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    In June 2006, McNair's long stay with the Titans ended with a trade to Baltimore, where he played the final two seasons of his career. He led the Ravens to a 13-3 record and an AFC South championship in 2006 before faltering in 2007 due to back and shoulder injuries.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    With both the Titans and Ravens, the respected veteran paved the way for young black quarterbacks such as Vince Young, right, and Troy Smith. "He taught me so much - not about the game, but about life, and I owe him a great deal," said Young.

    Andy Lyons, Getty Images


An arrest affidavit from Thursday said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on her breath when she was pulled over, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying "she was not drunk, she was high."

McNair and his family frequented the restaurant where Kazemi was a waitress, according to employees and patrons of Dave & Buster's in Nashville. Keith Norfleet, Kazemi's ex-boyfriend, told The Tennessean newspaper that McNair and Kazemi met at the restaurant.

"She was reliable 90 percent of the time," manager Chris Truelove said of Kazemi. "She was pretty outgoing. A lot of the guests liked being around her, and she liked being around the guests."

Co-worker Shantez Jobe, 33, she said was friends with Kazemi.

"We talked about who had more fashion sense, and who was the cutest, and who could get more boys, you know some of the stuff girls do," Jobe said.

In June, McNair opened a restaurant near the Tennessee State University campus. It was closed Saturday evening, but had become a small memorial, where flowers, candles and notes had been placed outside the door.

McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, led the Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. He was co-MVP of the NFL with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in April 2008.

His most notable moment came in the 2000 Super Bowl. With the Titans trailing by seven, he led the team 87 yards in the final minute and 48 seconds, only to come up a yard short of a touchdown. Kevin Dyson caught his 9-yard pass, but was tackled at the 1-yard line by the Rams' Mike Jones.

McNair accounted for all of Tennessee's yards in that drive, throwing for 48 yards and rushing for 14. The rest of the yardage came on penalties against the Rams. Before that, he brought the Titans back from a 16-0 deficit to tie the game.

"If you were going to draw a football player, the physical part, the mental part, everything about being a professional, he is your guy," former Ravens and Titans teammate Samari Rolle said. "I can't even wrap my arms around it."

McNair grew up in rural Mount Olive, Miss., and became a nationally known college football star playing for Alcorn State, a Division I-AA school in his home state. He was so dominant in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, he became a Heisman Trophy contender. National media flocked to little Lorman in the southwest corner of the Magnolia state to get a look at "Air McNair." He still holds the Division I-AA (now known as Football Championship Subdivision) records for career yards passing (14,496) and total offense (16,823).

McNair was the third overall draft pick in 1995 by the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Titans. He finished his career with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. McNair's rugged style led to numerous injuries and aches. He played with pain for several years, and the injuries ultimately forced him to retire.

"On the field, there isn't a player that was as tough as him, especially at the quarterback position," the Ravens' Derrick Mason said.

During a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season, McNair was so bruised he couldn't practice. But he started all five games and won them, leading the Titans to an 11-5 record and a berth in the AFC championship game for the second time in four seasons.

McNair played all 16 games in 2006, his first season in Baltimore, and guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record. But he injured his groin during the season opener in 2007 and never regained the form that put him in those Pro Bowls.

___

Associated Press Writer Emily Wagster Pettus in Mount Olive, Miss., AP Writers Randall Paul Dickerson and Lucas L. Johnson II and AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tenn.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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