The former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back died with a gunshot wound in his chest after an altercation with the alleged shooter in his grandmother's garage.
- Sep 13, 2019
AceShowbiz - Former NFL player Terrell Roberts was shot and killed at his grandmother's backyard. The 38-year-old former athlete was visiting his grandmother in Richmond, California on Wednesday, September 11 when an unidentified man entered the residence and shot Terrell in the backyard.
Richmond police Sgt. Enrik Melgoza said officers responded to a report of a shooting at about 4 P.M. When cops arrived, they found Roberts in the backyard of the home with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe that Terrell and the unidentified man got into an altercation in the garage before the shooting happened. He then stumbled out to the backyard where officers found him.
There's no clue as to what led to the altercation as Terrell's family says he had a "heart of gold" and had no known enemies. They add that he was not "mixed up in anything bad." His cousin also had nothing but good words about Terrell, saying he was "a good role model to his little cousins... He did a lot of positive things for them."
Meanwhile, neighbor Domald Monk who spoke with Terrell's grandmother tells KPIX, "She was saying that she knew some of his so-called friends but she doesn't know who it was, why they would do it to him. She didn't know."
No arrest has been made, but police are searching for the suspect, who has been described as a black man between 20 and 35 years old who is bald with a short beard, weighs about 250 pounds and wore a black T-shirt.
Terrell played college football at Oregon State University and attended El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, California. He primarily played cornerback for the Beavers in 2001 and 2002, totaling five career interceptions. The 5-foot-10 athlete also played defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals for two seasons from 2003 until 2005.
In the wake of his tragic passing, his friends and former colleagues paid tribute to him. His former Oregon teammate Jonathan Smith tweeted, "I'm crushed to hear the news of the passing of my teammate and friend Terrell Roberts. Prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Terrell's former Bengals teammates Willie Anderson wrote, "Hadn't heard from bro in so long . Then out the blue I get this message not knowing who it was giving me a shout out on Insta Story. Made my day conversing with em. He was so proud of his son! 13 year old Olineman. Man I hadn't talk to bro in years."
He also took to Instagram to remember Terrell and pledge to help his late friend's son. "I'm still gonna find your son and help him," he wrote along with photos of Terrell. "My man hAd just hit me to tell me to heal up and that his son wears #71 cuz of me. Meant so much to me that he would tell his son about me. I'll make it now my honor to help his son."
NFL defensive end Shaun Smith added, "Man am tired of waking up everyday to bad news another one of my former teammates what's shot and killed rest easy Terrell Roberts one of the strongest DBs to play the game rest easy my boy."
