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Miami college football player found shot to death

A shocking incident has struck the University of Miami Tuesday night, as Bryan Pata, who plays defensive end for the college`s football team, was shot and killed shortly after leaving the practice field. A police spokesman said Pata was shot outside his middle-class apartment complex, about four miles from campus.

It is still unclear what the background and circumstances of the shooting were. ?As far as I know, it?s not known as a high-violent-crime area,? the police spokesman said. Since 1996, two other Miami football players have died in car accidents and one was murdered. In another shooting incident involving Miami players, a player was shot earlier this year in the buttocks.

Pata is a local in Miami, having graduated from Miami Central High School and playing his fourth year for the Hurricanes. He was expected to enter the NFL draft next year, with the end of his college career. ?Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor,? the university said in a statement. ?He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family.?