Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville.

The incident happened near 2nd South & Lea Ave. Police said it looked like a double homicide. A female victim was also found dead.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10643962

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville.

The incident happened near 2nd South & Lea Avenue.

A crowd began to gather in the area where Steve McNair's body was found Saturday afternoon.

"When police officers arrived in response to that call, they found two individuals who had been shot to death inside the residence: one female, one male. We now know that the male deceased is Steve McNair. The female deceased has been tentatively identified. We're working to confirm that and then notify her next of kin," said Don Aaron with Metro Police on the situation.

That female victim's identity was not released as of 4:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

According to Don Aaron with the Metro Nashville Police Department, no suspects have been taken into custody. Several people were being taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Titan's owner ‘Bud' Adams Jr. released the following statement on the Titan's web site:

"We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing."

Stay with NewsChannel5.com for more information as it becomes available.

Local Fox ch.17 rumored it's a murder suicide.

Another update.

According to police, there were no signs of forced entry at the crime scene. While the female victim's identity has not been released, police are confirming she is not Mechelle McNair.

"There were persons who were around the complex today who have been taken to headquarters for questioning," Don Aaron explained. However, he made it clear that there were no suspects in custody at the time.

According to Don Aaron, no suspects have been taken into custody. Several people were being taken to police headquarters for questioning, so police could get information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting deaths.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen released the following statement:

Andrea and I were very saddened by the news of Steve McNair's death. He has always felt like part of the Nashville family, and he will be sorely missed.

Several fans expressed shock and saddness in response to the news along with former teamates and other members of the Titans organization.

Many people commented on how Steve was such an important part of the community. Steve McNair opened a restaurant, Gridiron 9 on Jefferson Street in North Nashville. An employee at McNair's restaurant said Steve McNair gave him hope. He said when no one else gave him a chance, Steve hired him immediately.

Titans' owner ‘Bud' Adams Jr. released the following statement on the Titan's web site:

"We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing."

Hope Hines, NewsChannel 5's Chief Sports Reporter said Brad Hopkins, former All Pro Left Tackle, was very upset by the death of Steve McNair. He said he was dissapointed, and doesn't understand how people can take lives so violently.

Hopkins said this is an example of how no one is immune to violence.

"Steve was my friend, and that's the difference. I remember his first five minutes in the facility. Every walk he took, I was probably right next to him. We fought and bled together," said Hopkins. "Here's a man who was husband and a father. He meant a lot to a lot of people. Not just people on the football field," Hopkins continued.

Jeff Diamond, former President of the Titans commented on Steve McNair's death:

"First of all it's such a tragic, tragic thing. You just hate to see these things happen, and to happen to someone you like and respect and knew so well and had so many great times and moments with; it's a horrible, horrible story."

Steve McNair was 36 years old. He leaves behind a wife Mechelle and four sons: Junior, Steven, Tyler and Trenton.

Stay with NewsChannel5.com for more information as it becomes available.


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Here's an update from WSMV local ch.4

Former Titans QB Steve McNair Shot To Death

POSTED: 3:38 pm CDT July 4, 2009
UPDATED: 12:47 pm CDT July 5, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville police and Titans' sources have confirmed that former Titans QB Steve McNair, 36, has been shot to death at a condominium in downtown Nashville.

Wayne Neely, who co-rented the apartment with McNair where the two were found, found McNair on the couch and 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi on the floor of the locked apartment at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. He called a friend, who called police.

McNair had been shot several times, and Kazemi had been shot once.

McNair's wife Mechelle said she had not heard from her husband in a couple of days. She was at the couple's home Saturday on Bear Road in Green Hills.


Police spokesman Don Aaron did not rule out any possibility, although he said they are not actively looking for a suspect. He also said that the time of the deaths is uncertain and that the deaths may not have occurred Saturday.

A source told Channel 4 News that McNair was seen at about 1 a.m. Saturday at a Nashville restaurant.

"There are persons who were around the complex today, visitors, who have been taken to headquarters for questioning, just to see what they know, what they may have seen," Aaron said. "No one is in custody right now."

A Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade were towed from the scene. The Escalade was registered to the address of McNair's restaurant and was under both victims' names.

Kazemi was arrested early Thursday on charges of driving under the influence. McNair was a passenger in the vehicle.

The owner of the building is Charles Cardwell Jr., a well-known Metro trustee. Cardwell said Neely worked or still works at Nashville Sporting Goods as a salesman. Cardwell, who also lived in the building, said the apartment was often vacant but that McNair used it when he came into town.

Neely had rented the apartment for about four years, said Cardwell, who also said he isn't aware of previous problems at the apartment, which is near McNair's restaurant, Gridiron9.

"Wayne Neely and Steve are good friends, and he was very upset and shaken for something like this to happen," said Cardwell, who said he had last seen McNair about six weeks ago.

McNair played in the National Football League for 13 seasons before retiring last year. He was a three-time Pro-Bowler and the 2003 co-MVP of the league.

McNair aided in the revitalization of the Jefferson Street area with the recent opening of Gridiron9, near Tennessee State University. He could be found at the restaurant sweeping floors, eating, serving and talking to people. Restaurant patrons have remarked upon how accessible he was, and many wrote memorial tributes to the athlete Saturday afternoon on the windows of Gridiron9.

Metro Councilwoman Edith Langster called McNair "a role model and a legend."

McNair is usually in Mississippi for the Fourth of July, holding an event for children in Mount Olive. That event was not held this year.

"We played together, hung out together, had conversations about life outside of the game," said Eddie George, McNair's former Titans teammate.

Gov. Phil Bredesen released a statement Saturday, saying, "Andrea (Conte) and I were very saddened by the news of Steve McNair's death. He has always felt like part of the Nashville family, and he will be sorely missed."

The public interest in the scene near the apartment caused at least one accident early Saturday evening, in which the back of a vehicle was plowed into by another vehicle.

McNair's Death Ruled A Homicide
Death Of 20-Year-Old Still Under Investigation

POSTED: 3:38 pm CDT July 4, 2009
UPDATED: 2:49 pm CDT July 5, 2009


Wayne Neeley, who co-rented the apartment with McNair where the two were found, found McNair on the couch and 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi on the floor of the locked apartment at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. He called a friend, who called police.

McNair had been shot twice in the chest and twice in the head, and Kazemi had been shot once in the side of the head. A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from under Kazemi's body.

McNair's death has been ruled a homicide. The Metro Police Department has not yet classified Kazemi's death and expect it will be several days before her death is classified.

McNair's wife Mechelle said she had not heard from her husband in a couple of days. She was at the couple's home Saturday on Bear Road in Green Hills.

Friends said McNair and Kazemi had been dating over the past several months.

Police spokesman Don Aaron did not rule out any possibility, although he said they are not actively looking for a suspect. He also said that the time of the deaths is uncertain and that the deaths may not have occurred Saturday.

A source told Channel 4 News that McNair was seen at about 1 a.m. Saturday at a Nashville restaurant.

Details From McNair Press Conference

POSTED: 1:44 pm CDT July 5, 2009
UPDATED: 2:20 pm CDT July 5, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron held a press conference Sunday afternoon to discuss the deaths of former Titans quarterback Steve McNair, 36, and 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi.

*
Autopsies were performed on both victims. Steve McNair was shot four times: twice in the head and twice in the chest. Sahel Kazemi was shot once in the side of the head. McNair was found seated on a couch in the living room. Kazemi was on the floor, close to McNair.

*
A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from under Kazemi's body. It was not initially visible and was discovered late in investigation of the crime scene.

*
The two died some time in the early Saturday hours and had been dead for a number of hours before they were discovered.

*
ATF is tracing the ownership of the pistol, and police are working to interview its owner. Aaron said the evidence at the scene is consistent with the gun recovered.

*
Friends said McNair and Kazemi had been dating over the past several months.

*
McNair's death has been ruled a homicide. The Metro Police Department has not yet classified Kazemi's death and expect it will be several days before her death is classified.

*
McNair was seen at Blue Moon Lagoon Bar and Loser's Bar into the early morning hours of Saturday.

*
There were no signs of forced entry. A key was used by Wayne Neeley to get into the apartment. McNeeley discovered the bodies. He walked into the kitchen and did not see blood until he walked walk from the kitchen.

*
Police are checking surveillance cameras in the area. Aaron said he is not aware of any tapes recovered so far.

*
A witness said Kazemi's Cadillac Escalade was already at the condo when McNair arrived. Aaron said Kazemi had an apartment in the Hermitage area.

*
Aaron said the Central Precinct commander called the area the condo was in "very peaceful."

*
Friends of both victims are being talked to in an effort to find if the two had had any "squabbles," Aaron said, in an effort to classify the woman's death. Nothing has been ruled out so far as to the cause of Kazemi's death.

*
Some of Kazemi's family may be traveling to Nashville Sunday. Police are planning to interview Kazemi's ex-boyfriend.

This just keeps getting stranger, still wondering if the "girlfriend" is the trigger person though.

My pc is giving me fits again, but here's an update.

The gun was her's

The x boyfriend was seen on the scene earlier in the day.

The gun was bought from an individual on Thur.

The Caddy Escalade was titled in both her name and McNair's.

The relationship has been ongoing for several years.

The gun was found under her body.

It was reported that she was going to break up with McNair and go back to her ex boyfriend.

Exboyfriend is said to be distraught over her death saying he can't live without her.

I think the ex boyfriend shot them both and tried to make it look like a murder/suicide.

Well, they are calling it a murder/suicide, but no ones buying it. Family wants to know why she shot herself with her left hand when she's right handed. They want to know who was seen carrying stuff out of the apartment earlier in the day. They have hired lawyers. They just arrested the guy that sold her the gun too.

I knew things didn't seem to be right (and I didn't even know the gun was by her "wrong" hand!)

It was not by either hand. IT was under the body. GSR was found on the left hand. So, you tell me how the body ends up on top of the gun. The body should have went limp and went to the right and the gun recoiled wayyyy left of the body if she shot herself with the left hand. No way it could end up under the body.

dwc43 wrote:It was not by either hand. IT was under the body. GSR was found on the left hand. So, you tell me how the body ends up on top of the gun. The body should have went limp and went to the right and the gun recoiled wayyyy left of the body if she shot herself with the left hand. No way it could end up under the body.

Ah, mis-read that part, I'd imagine the gun would be a few feet from the body depending on how she fell and how much recoil the gun had. I'm still wondering about the girl's ex or one of his business partners (ala Mickey T). Hell, I'm begining to think that the case of that couple in Florida may end up the same way. Just too much weird stuff that don't make any sense with what's been released for the media in both cases

I have not followed the Florida case that close. I know they found surv. video from the house and that's how they caught everyone. And they caught a neighbor repainting his van and got him for tampering with evidence. That's about all I know so far. Hope they get them all.

Yea, that one is a strange one, they stole a safe full of the kids medications and paperwork and those cameras were supposed to be turned off by somebody. Not sure why they'd use a van that one of them actually owned instead of swiping one that morning.....but I guess I'd do things differently

Here's another little update. McNair was twice the legal limit for alcohol when he was shot and she was high on pot.

The guy that sold her the gun was in court already. He was a convicted felon and not allowed to own or sell a gun, not even touch one or be in the same room with one.

New report. An unnamed officer warned the Keshimi family to look into the condo owners whereabouts in the day of the murders. And to investigate the bruises found on there daughters arms. I'm tellin you, this aint no M/S.

The plot thickens.

I'm tellin you, this aint no M/S.

Been thinking that from the get go.