The Kansas City Star has new details on the final minutes of the life of Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who killed his girlfriend (and the mother of his baby daughter) before turning the gun on himself in front of Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel.
The Star, talking to sources and police officials, said Belcher kissed Kasi Perkins on the forehead after shooting her to death Saturday morning. Belcher then apologized to his mother -- who reportedly heard Belcher and Perkins argue before he said, “You can’t talk to me like that” and pulled the trigger -- and kissed his daughter before leaving his house and heading to the Chiefs' facility.
More from the Star:
As he covered the five miles from his home to the stadium, his violent act weighed on him, police believe.
“He probably realized he had done something and he couldn’t go back,” said Police Sgt. Richard Sharp.
In the parking lot of the practice facility at 1 Arrowhead Drive, Belcher encountered Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli. Belcher stepped out of his Bentley with a gun pointed at his own head, police said.
“I did it,” he said, according to police. “I killed her.”
The club knew about the couple’s domestic issues and had tried to help, but Belcher said it was too late to fix their problems. According to police, Belcher and Perkins had been arguing over financial and relationship issues and that the team had "bent over backward" to help them.
Pioli and Crennel tried to persuade Belcher to put down the gun, but he reportedly said, “Guys, I have to do this.” When he heard police sirens, he told Pioli, Crennel and Chiefs linebacker coach Gary Gibbs that he had to go. Belcher then reportedly kneeled behind a vehicle, crossed himself and shot himself.
Autopsies have been performed on both bodies, but it will be weeks before the toxicology reports are available.
“On behalf of the Perkins Family, we appreciate the outpouring of love and concern for our Kassandra ‘Kasi’ Perkins. Our hearts are truly broken for Kasi was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, cousin and friend.…” the Perkins family said in a statement released on Facebook.
“Please keep us in your hearts and prayers as well as the Belcher family for two lives were loss. Again we thank you for your support, our wish is for Kasi to be remembered for the love she shared with us all. Kasi will be truly missed!”
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