Wild season in Miami endures with homicide

MIAMI – Police searched for clues Wednesday in the fatal shooting of University of Miami lineman Bryan Pata, the latest shock to a Hurricanes team touched by tragedy and turmoil.

Pata, a popular figure on campus, practiced Tuesday afternoon and was shot about two hours later at his apartment complex. The 22-year-old senior who grew up in Miami was pronounced dead in the parking lot outside his apartment. His death was ruled a homicide, Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said.

“My son had a problem with nobody,” a tearful Jeanette Pata, the player’s mother, told WTVJ-TV in Miami Tuesday night outside her son’s apartment as she wore a replica Hurricanes jersey. “He’s gone. He’s gone.”

Word of Pata’s death spread quickly around campus, and grief counselors were summoned for his teammates. Another team meeting to discuss a memorial was scheduled for Wednesday, and no decision had been made about the status of Saturday afternoon’s game against No. 23 Maryland.

This was the latest jolt to a Miami team that has dealt with another shooting this season and was part of a wild on-field brawl last month.

“We’re trying to get through a hard time right now and it’s going to take time,” Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman told The Associated Press after a team meeting at the university’s athletic complex. “And that’s what being a close football family is all about. We’re going to help each other with this.”

School officials said coach Larry Coker was “numb” over the news. The athletic department released a statement urging anyone with information about Pata’s death to call police.

“Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family,” the university said in its statement.

A moment of silence was held at Miami Central High, Pata’s alma mater, Wednesday morning, said Anthony Saunders, his high school coach.

“He was a great kid. A well-mannered, well-disciplined kid,” Saunders said. “It never seemed like he had any problems. Everything was always on track. He was going to the NFL and then he got shot in the head.”

Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford was aware of the situation and was to talk with Miami officials throughout the day, conference spokeswoman Amy Yakola said.

Rutland said police were called at 7:30 p.m. to the scene and found Pata’s body. He lived about 4 miles from campus. No motive was released, and Miami-Dade police did not say who made the 911 call after the shooting.

“Right now, we’re just gathering ourselves and just trying to pull ourselves together,” athletic director Paul Dee told the AP.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman was in his fourth year with the Hurricanes and was expected to be selected in next spring’s NFL draft. He appeared in 41 games, making 23 starts. Pata played primarily defensive tackle this season, totaling 13 tackles and two sacks.