UPDATE (6/9/19, 8:00 p.m.) – Police have confirmed that Eric Patterson was shot and killed at his home on Saturday morning at 5:04 a.m.
His roommate came into the living room and saw Patterson on the floor and an unknown suspect standing with the gun. The suspect then ran from the house.
The police also say that the shooting was not random. Patterson was treated by Tampa Fire Rescue and then taken to the hospital where he died.
ORIGINAL: Former NFL cornerback Eric Patterson, Jr., died on Saturday in what is reported to be a shooting.
Patterson, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and was on the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams rosters over his career, was 26.
Todd Gurley, the running back for the Los Angeles Rams, posted a tribute to Patterson on Twitter and that brought the questions racing to how Eric Patterson died.
RIP EP?? @Lift_off5 pic.twitter.com/fUXECyRFNT
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) June 8, 2019
Before his NFL career, Patterson played for the Ball State Cardinals and many of his fans and friends from college took to social media to post their thoughts and send their prayers to Patterson’s family.
RIP Eric Patterson. I’ll never forget your daily jokes and how amazing of a friend you were. Fly high. #liftoff
— ʟᴏ ✰ (@laurenkathryn__) June 8, 2019
Didn’t know him personally, but I’m seeing the impact he had amongst those who did, Rest In Peace to Eric Patterson, let’s do better Tampa! ??
— Ryan Davis (@bigdavis813) June 9, 2019
So, the question remains, what happened to Eric Patterson that led to his death on Saturday?
Rob Connett, a news reporter from 99 WIBC and Network Indiana reported that Patterson was “shot and killed,” although he had no official sources to confirm it yet.
Still havent seen anything official, but heard from a Ball State TCOM colleague earlier today, and have seen many other people post about it on social media today…
Former Ball State football player Eric Patterson, who played for the Colts for a bit, was shot and killed. ?
— Rob Connett (@RobConnett1) June 9, 2019
Another Twitter user named Tyra Martin said she was questioned at work about a murder and had no idea it was Eric Patterson.
https://twitter.com/Tyra_Martin/status/1137556165074792448
In the days before his death, Patterson sent out Twitter posts that makes his death even more shocking — and tragic.
wake up count my blessings!
— EP (@Lift_off5) June 4, 2019
Daddy duties weekdays! New city every weekend ?
— EP (@Lift_off5) June 6, 2019
GOD is good!
— EP (@Lift_off5) June 8, 2019
RIP Eric Patterson. Praying for your family especially your kids!
— Frankie Williams (@ttpfrank) June 8, 2019
Eric Patterson was an undrafted free agent when he signed with the New England Patriots. His only regular season playing time came with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015, where he finished with three tackles.
He then finished his NFL career with a stint on the Rams practice squad and a spot in the preseason with the Cleveland Browns in 2016.