Jovan Belcher, kills girlfriend, self

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who grew up in West Babylon, fatally shot his girlfriend early Saturday, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in front of three team officials, according to a Kansas City police spokesman.Belcher, whose 2012 salary has been reported as $1,927,000, was 25 and his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, was 22. The couple had a 3-month-old child, authorities said. Police said he child is now in the custody of Belcher's mother, Cheryl, who witnessed the first shooting.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp told Newsday on Saturday afternoon that a woman, later identified as Belcher's mother, called police shortly before 8 a.m. to report a shooting at a home in Kansas City. Belcher's mother said she was in town for a weekend visit.

Snapp said Belcher then drove to the Chiefs' practice facility near Arrowhead, where the team plays its home games. Belcher pulled up to the entrance of the training facility and had a gun, which was reported to police by a security guard on duty.

Snapp said Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, head coach Romeo Crennel and an unidentified person went out to talk to Belcher. Snapp said Belcher thanked Pioli and Crennel for the opportunity to play for the Chiefs' organization, then walked 30 or 40 feet away and fired one shot to his head as the three men looked on.

"They said he was not a danger to anyone else," Snapp said. "Belcher thanked them for being a Chief, and that's when he walked away."
Snapp said police were completing the investigation at the stadium. "There's a lot more evidence at the residence," he said.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James went to Arrowhead and met with Pioli afterward, according to the Kansas City Star.

"Think about your worst nightmare and multiply it by five," James was quoted as saying.
Friends and relatives gathered Saturday afternoon in the driveway and street in front of Belcher's family home on Matthews Avenue in West Babylon. Family members toasted to his life and embraced each other.