NFL Roundup: Belcher's murder-suicide; Giants list Phillips, Williams doubtful

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend and then committed suicide at the team facility Saturday morning as team personnel tried to stop him.

Belcher, 25, shot his 22-year-old girlfriend, identified as Kasandra Perkins, at their house and then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and killed himself, according to police.

Belcher shot himself in front of head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police said.

There were no other injuries at the team facility.

"The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted," Chiefs president and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement.

"We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."

Kansas City Police Capt. David Lindaman said Belcher and Perkins got into an argument around 7 a.m. CT at their home about five miles from the Chiefs' practice facility. Belcher shot his girlfriend multiple times about 7:50 a.m. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Belcher's mother, who was visiting the couple and their 3-month-old daughter, witnessed the shooting and was being interviewed by police, according to Lindaman.

At approximately 8:10 a.m., according to police, a call from Arrowhead Stadium security to police came in reporting a man in the stadium parking lot was armed with a gun. Belcher had been met by team personnel in the parking lot. Crennel and Pioli confronted Belcher before he turned the gun on himself, which police observed upon arrival at the scene.

Police spokesman Darin Snapp said they received a call from a woman who said her daughter was shot several times.

"We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning," the Chiefs said in a statement. "We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation."

The name of Belcher's girlfriend was not identified but there is a Walmart baby registry for Kasandra Perkins and Jovan Belcher, which includes pictures of them with the baby on Facebook with the caption, "Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours," according to Deadspin.

The Kansas City Chiefs host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium at 1 p.m. ET. The Charlotte Observer reported that the NFL informed the Panthers to leave on its team charter plane as scheduled Saturday.

The Observer reported that NFL officials have not decided if the game will still be played but told the Panthers to travel as scheduled. The team's flight was scheduled to leave Charlotte at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Chiefs players were asked to meet at the team facility, according to Fox Sports.

Belcher started 10 of 11 games at inside linebacker for the Chiefs this season and was in his third season as a fulltime starter, fourth overall in the NFL.

---The agent for Jovan Belcher, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker who shot his girlfriend to death and later turned a gun on himself on Saturday morning, never thought that Belcher capable of what happened.

Belcher, 25, shot his 22-year-old girlfriend, identified as Sandra Perkins, at their house just before 8 a.m. CT, and then drove five miles to Arrowhead Stadium and killed himself, according to police.

Belcher shot himself in front of head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police said.

There were no other injuries at the team facility.

"Jovan was a happy, proud father, with pictures of his baby on his Facebook page," Joe Linta told SI.com. "This is shocking. Something went crazy wrong, and we'll probably never know what it is."

He was one of several who reacted to Saturday's tragedy in Kansas City.

Former Chiefs fullback Tony Richardson said he was "shocked" when he found out what Belcher did.

"People think, how can a young man with the world in front of him, making good money and playing on a national stage, do something like that?," Richardson told USA Today. "But you just don't understand the mental state of what some people are dealing with. It's sad."

Belcher, 25, was a starter at inside linebacker for the Chiefs this season and was in his fourth season in the NFL.

"In a small-market (city), people really love their Chiefs' players," said Richardson, who played with the Chiefs from 1995-2005. "They know everything about every player. It's a big family and a very close-knit community. This was a young man people followed and cheered for. It's devastating."

Dwayne Wilmot, Belcher's position coach at the University of Maine, said family was very important to Belcher, making the murder-suicide even more puzzling. Wilmot told USA Today that Belcher would light up when he told him his mother was coming to a game.

"Family was paramount for Jovan, you could see it at every game," said Wilmot, now a coach at Yale. "His family showed up in force. He relished the opportunity to make them proud as a student and an athlete. He did what he did for their love and their adulation.

"I'm devastated right now. Trying to hold together."

Wilmot said that aside from some maturity issues, Belcher had no other serious off-the-field issues.

"Kids ages 18 to 22, they all have things they'd like to do over," the coach said. "When I was that age there were things I'd like to do over. To see him grow and evolve in that time, it is an absolute and utter shock to be talking about Jovan in the past tense."

Several players, including Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali, reacted via Twitter.

"I am devastated by this mornings events. I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone effected by this tragedy," Hali wrote.

Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno tweeted: "Life is a gift Life should be cherished For we only live once!My heart and deep sympathy goes out to the families effected in KC."

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow tweeted: "Wow... Unbelievable tragedy. My prayers go out to the entire Chiefs organization and their families."

Free agent running back Ryan Grant, also via Twitter, wrote: "Positive thoughts and prayers to the Belcher family, the young lady's family and all others involved in this tragedy."

Former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon, an NFL analyst for CBS, told USA Today that it has been a difficult season for the 1-10 Chiefs, but Saturday's tragedy compounds it.

"You feel terrible for the victim, for (Belcher), the families, the team, for (Chiefs coach) Romeo (Crennel), (general manager) Scott (Pioli) and (owner) Clark Hunt," Gannon said. "What else can you say? It's just a sad (day)."

Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement: "The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted.

"We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."

The NFL said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened by the events today, and we have been in touch with the Kansas City Chiefs players. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families affected."

The league is offering counseling for players in helping deal with the tragedy.

The Oakland Raiders, a longtime AFC West rival of the Chiefs, also released a statement, saying, "The Oakland Raiders are empathizing with the Chiefs organization. Our hearts are wounded by such an unimaginable tragedy in our NFL family. We will continue to pray for everyone involved."

The Chiefs host the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. The Panthers were told by the league to travel as scheduled and later decided to go on with the game as planned.

---The New York Giants listed safety Kenny Phillips and linebacker Jacquian Williams as doubtful for Monday night's game against the Washington Redskins with knee injuries.

Tight end Travis Beckum, who has experienced soreness in his surgically-repaired knee, has been ruled out.

Safety Antrel Rolle (illness) and defensive end Justin Tuck (foot) were both added to the injury report as probable.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (back) did not practice for a second straight day Saturday and is listed as questionable.