ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday afternoon that Pro Bowl NFL player Brandon Meriweather was present during a shooting in Apopka last month, but law enforcement officials made no other characterization of his role.
The Sheriff’s Office said Meriweather, a former star at Apopka High School and a safety with the New England Patriots, was present when two men were shot on Feb. 28.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office said it wants to talk to Meriweather about the shooting of Nico Glendale Stanley and Quentin Louis Ramone Taylor.
Meriweather has not spoken yet to detectives, who told the player’s south Florida lawyer, Adam Swickle, that they want to question him about the shooting, Nieves said.
Detectives learned Thursday the exact place of the shooting, Nieves said.
Sheriff’s crime scene technicians were heading to Apopka on Thursday afternoon to scour the undisclosed location for any evidence remaining from the shooting. Detectives have yet to find the gun or guns used in the shooting.
Taylor, 24, who had been shot in the face, spoke to detectives on Wednesday for the first time. Stanley, 23, who was grazed by a bullet in the face, spoke to detectives on Monday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators believe the shooting followed an earlier confrontation at the Blue Jeans Lounge, a nightclub near Apopka. The shooting apparently happened somewhere in the vicinity of 17th Street and Marvin C. Zanders Avenue.
Stanley and Taylor say Brandon Meriweather shot them, their lawyer told the Orlando Sentinel.
“I represent the victims who say they were shot by Brandon Meriweather,” Orlando attorney John Morgan said. “I don’t know if it happened or not. I am presuming him (Meriweather) innocent until proven guilty.”
No charges have been filed in the shooting.
Swickle told the Orlando Sentinel he is aware of the circumstances involving his client.
“I am aware of the investigation,” Swickle said. “We are doing our own investigation.”
Swickle said he would have no other comment because a criminal investigation is ongoing.
“William Brandon Meriweather, among others, has been identified as being present during a shooting . . . being investigated by this Office,” Capt. Angelo Nieves said in a written statement.
Meriweather, victims know each other
Stanley and Taylor say they attended Apopka High School with Meriweather, who graduated in 2002.
Meriweather was a star athlete for the Blue Darters and later a star football player at the University of Miami. He was a first-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2007.
“We are aware of the reported allegation, but do not have any additional information,” the Patriots said in a statement.
Sheriff’s records show there was a fight at the Blue Jeans Bar in Apopka prior to the shooting.
Stanley and Taylor were driven to Florida Hospital Apopka where one was listed last week in critical condition. The second victim was treated and released.
One victim signed a ‘declination of intent’ to prosecute, which states he did not wish to pursue charges. He also claimed to not know who shot him.
That record did not indicate which victim declined to prosecute.
Meriweather’s agent, Joby Branion, declined comment on any potential criminal matters.
Former Player of Year
Meriweather was the Orlando Sentinel’s 2001 Central Florida high school player of the year after leading Apopka to a 14-1 season and Class 6A title. He was recruited to college as a safety, but also played other positions for the Blue Darters, including quarterback during the second half of the state championship game after starter Kenard Bradford was injured.
He played at the University of Miami from 2002-06 and was an All-ACC selection his final two seasons.
His college career also included some controversy. In 2006, the summer before his senior season, Meriweather and teammate Willie Cooper saw a suspicious car parked outside their residence. When they went to check it out, a man next to the house shot at them, hitting Cooper in the rear end.
Meriweather returned fire and the man ran away. No one was seriously injured.
Meriweather had a permit for the gun, and it was determined he was acting in self defense. He was not charged.
As a senior, Meriweather was seen stomping on several Florida International players on the ground during a fight. He was suspended by the ACC and Miami.
In 2007, he was drafted No. 24 overall by the New England Patriots.
During his four-year career he has played in every regular-season game, recording 261 tackles including two sacks, with 12 interceptions and five forced fumbles. He has been named to the last two Pro Bowls.
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