Jaguars OT Richard Collier Critical after Shooting

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A Jacksonville Jaguars player is in the hospital with life threatening injuries. Jacksonville Sheriff's Officers say someone shot Richard Collier early Tuesday morning.

According to Ken Jefferson, the Public Information Officer with the Sheriff's Office, Collier was in an SUV with former Jaguars Defensive End Kenneth Pettway. Jefferson told First Coast News the two were at a couple of clubs late Monday night, early Tuesday morning.

They met two females while they were out clubbing. Jefferson said the group decided to go to another location, but wanted to be in one vehicle. So, they went to a home in Riverside where one of the ladies lives about 2:30 a.m.

As Collier and Pettway were sitting in an Cadillac Escalade waiting on the women (they were in a separate car), Jefferson says someone came up and started shooting.

Several bullets hit Collier. Pettway, who was a passenger in the truck, was not hurt. Police do not have a motive or description of the suspect. Jefferson says he's not sure if the women saw anything. He told us they are shocked.

Collier is an offensive tackle. He has been with the Jaguars since 2006. He was an undrafted free agent from Valdosta State.

Collier was in a battle for the starting left tackle position in training camp this year with Khalif Barnes. He has had problems off the field. In 2007, he plead no contest to DUI charge.

First Coast News talked with Collier on July 27, 2008 about various issues, including his past. He said, "I have to be more careful." He went on to say it's easy to get in trouble and that he has to make better decisions.

Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver had this to say about the incident: "We're shocked and deeply saddened by this morning's news about Richard Collier. We have been informed that Richard has had surgery and he's in critical but stable condition. The entire Jaguars family is praying for Richard and his family at this time."

Collier is fighting for his life today. First Coast News will continue to follow this story. We will have more on this shooting on First Coast News at 5 on NBC 12.