Miami Lineman Pata Shot and Killed

by SMQ on Nov 8, 2006 8:48 AM EST in News Comment 1 comment

Something about this tragic report from Miami, sadly, is not nearly as surprising as it should be:

A University of Miami season of tumult turned horrific Tuesday night when Hurricanes defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed at his apartment complex in Kendall.

''He was shot in the head,'' Miami Central coach Anthony Saunders said Tuesday night. "He is dead.''

The 6-4, 280-pound senior, who went to Miami Central High, was last seen on campus at football practice late Tuesday afternoon, just hours before the shooting.

According to Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland, police officers were dispatched to the Colony Apartments, 9315 SW 77th Ave., at 7:30 p.m. where they found Pata, 22, dead of a gunshot wound near bushes in the parking lot area.

More from Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote.

Worst year on record for Miami, or almost any other college football program short of the Marshall squad that lost most of its team. Willie Williams. Gun-battling Brandon Merriweather. Numerous minor suspensions. Losing. The brawl with Florida International. This is by far the worst.

Immediate reaction from Miami blog Out of Kilter, on the early morning trail as it broke, and also lists the too-long list of 'Cane players and alums who have died since 1990. Pata is the third murdered, the first since 1996.

Miami plays at Maryland Saturday.

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Miami

This is truly tragic. The University of Miami and the football program need to step back and do some serious soul searching. I would almost advocate cancelling the rest of the season.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by Mike on Nov 8, 2006 10:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs