Nov 28, 2007 5:15 pm US/Eastern
Police Seek Public's Help In Taylor Murder Case
Police Studying Possible Connection Between Shooting And Burglary A Week Earlier
MIAMI (CBS) ―
Police remained without a suspect Wednesday in the shooting death of Sean Taylor, looking for clues in hopes of determining who barged into the home of the Washington Redskins' star safety.
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker appealed to the "public" to help in the homicide investigation.
Miami-Dade detectives looking for the mysterious intruder who shot football star now say they are hunting a killer, and they are following "several leads."
"We are concerned we have not made an immediate arrest," Parker said. "We would have liked that ideally. We have hopes this individual or individuals will be taken into custody immediately."
No description of a suspect has been released, and police haven't made available results of Taylor's autopsy or the 911 call his girlfriend placed to report the shooting early Monday. He died a day later at 24.
Authorities took numerous pieces of evidence, including a computer, from Taylor's home. Police are studying a possible connection between the shooting and a burglary at the home eight days earlier.
At Taylor's high school, Gulliver Preparatory, hundreds of students gathered for a memorial in which the player was remembered for his persona off the field and his unyielding defense on it.
"You found yourself drawn to him," said John McCloskey, one of Taylor's coaches at Gulliver. "He would charm you with his soft-spoken nature and his polite demeanor."
Speakers contrasted the Taylor they knew with the one often portrayed in the media by his lapses - a drunken driving charge that was dismissed, his firings of two agents, numerous fines and an episode two years ago when he was accused of brandishing a gun.
"It's sad that everybody thinks he's this aggressive and mouthy athlete," said Arriana Marion, who went to high school with Taylor. "He was really just a phenomenal person."
Gulliver football coach Earl Sims said that when Taylor returned to his alma mater he was met by adoring students.
"The whole energy in the room changed because everybody's eyes lit up and they were listening for the words that fell off his lips," he said. "Every time he spoke, the environment changed."
At Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va., Taylor's teammates tried to focus on preparing for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Taylor's father, Pedro Taylor, and the team chaplain addressed players and coaches in the main auditorium, and a practice was scheduled for early afternoon. The Redskins did not open their locker room to reporters.
Outside, a scattered few continued to mourn at a makeshift memorial, where Taylor's No. 21 was painted on a grassy field. Flowers, balloons and other mementos remained from Tuesday night's candlelight vigil, which attracted hundreds of fans.
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