Memphis Player Killed

[Mean Green 93-98]

Classes canceled after U of M football player murdered on campus

Killer still at large, campus put on lockdown

By: Nikki Bussey

Staff Reporter

Posted: 10/1/07

A University of Memphis football player was fatally shot in his car at Carpenter Complex about 10 Sunday night, in what police said was not a random attack.

Taylor Bradford, a junior defensive lineman from Nashville, was pronounced dead at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. After he was shot, he drove his light-colored Lincoln across central and hit a tree near Zach Curlin, police said. No witnesses have forward at this time, according to police.

With the killer at large, officials ordered the campus to be put on lock-down on Sunday night and canceled Monday's classes at 4 a.m.

Bradford, 21, whose nickname among friends and family was "Booger," transferred from Samford University in Birmingham to play at The University of Memphis in 2006.

Right after the incident, students stood in sweatshirts, hugging and some crying outside Carpenter Complex and in Central parking lot, confused about what was going on.

"I'm just concerned that I don't know anything," said Krista King, biology major. "When I see the policemen flying by in our parking lot and hear the sirens, I get worried. I hate not being informed."

When asked if it were safe to go to bed, one campus police officer said, "Yes."

"Dean Porter came and knocked on all the sorority houses," said Samantha Murphy, pre-dentistry major. "He told everyone to stay inside."

Gionni Carr, Student Government Association president, urged the administration to cancel classes Monday.

"School will be shut down, if I have my way, in his memory. I would like to have some sort of mass assembly so we can all talk about this…we are in a situation where no one feels safe. I don't feel safe."

Earlier Sunday night, Bradford stopped by all the sorority houses with the president of Kappa Alpha Psi, Will Terrell, and another fraternity brother to encourage all the sororities to participate in an up-coming fraternity event in order to promote diversity.

Being so close to the murder, the sorority women living in the Carpenter Townhouses expressed uneasiness about the safety on campus.

"As a young woman who lives in the new sorority houses, I'm concerned about the safety not only of residents, but for all students here on campus because of the amount of crime that has recently occurred," said communications major, Molly Phinney. "I love this university with all of my heart, however, actually being so close to an incident (like this) truly scares me and I hope more precautions are executed."

The Tiger Text sent at 4 a.m. said, "Classes canceled. Main campus only. All offices open. Tune to local media or call 678-0888 for more information." The newly installed public address system on campus was not used to alert students. However, a campus safety alert was e-mailed to students and staff at 4:30 a.m.

Football players were among the many who assembled in the parking lot. As Bradford's car was being towed away, they stood in a line across from the stoplight with somber faces. They stayed in the area until the car was towed away, leaving only the damaged tree as a reminder of the death of Bradford.

"Taylor was my brother," Terrell said speaking by phone from the hospital. "We will miss him dearly. He will be remembered. He loved to play football. He loved his family, he loved his friends and he loved Kappa. He was always full of innovation and ideas. If you were around him, you were going to have a good time."