Darrent Williams Shot and Killed After New Year's Eve Bash

A Denver Broncos/ Nuggets New Year's bash ended in tragedy early New Year's morning. Denver Broncos cornerback, Darrent Williams was slain inside of a Hummer limousine, where him and others were riding. The shooter in a white SUV vehicle sped past the Hummer and shot a handgun into the limousine carrying Williams and other passengers, including Denver Bronco's receiver Javon Walker. Walker was unhurt in the altercation, however, Williams died instantly from a gunshot wound to the neck.

The Denver police have said that it is possible the shooting was the result of an incident that occurred at The Shelter nightclub where the Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets were hosting a New Year's Eve bash and birthday party for Denver Nuggets' player Kenyon Martin. The dispute that happened inside of the party might have caused the shooter to follow the white Hummer limousine as it left with Williams and other passengers inside.

Darrent Williams was a 2005 draft pick from Oklahoma State University and originally from Fort Worth, Texas. He was taken to the hospital right after the shooting, however, he was pronounced dead before he made it there. Two others were injured in the shooting; a man who was William's high school friend and a woman who was getting a ride to her car after the club closed, was wounded and still remains hospitalized for a bullet in her head. The woman is allegedly able to talk and is alert, the doctors are trying to decide if they should operate on her or leave the bullet in place.

Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos running back and teammate of Williams' at Oklahoma State University, had told ESPN in a brief interview that he spoke with Williams over the phone around 10 p.m. New Year's Eve. He stated that they were trying to decide where they wanted to go for the rest of the evening. Bell said Williams also stated that there was an altercation at the nightclub. Police have not yet linked the altercation at the nightclub to the shooting, however, there could be a possibility that there is a connection.

The dispute at the nightclub has been said to be an altercation between Williams and Walker exchanging words with some other men at The Shelter nightclub. Other witnesses said that it was Williams and Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall who were arguing with the men. The dispute did not get physical and a man who owns a bar close by The Shelter said that there was chaotic scene outside of the club when it closed at 2:00 a.m. There was shouting and people were upset because 700 people were all forced to leave the club at the same time.

According to Momentum Sports Group, Williams was a three-time all-district selection at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He began his high school career at running back before switching to cornerback. As a senior, he was named 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting five interceptions that featured several long returns, including a best of 54 yards. He averaged 30 yards per punt return and scored four touchdowns as a returner. Williams missed five games as a junior with a broken middle finger but recovered the following year as the Dallas Morning News tabbed him for its area top-100 list on the gridiron. He also was named an All-American by Track and Field News. He started up his own entertainment company called RYNO Entertainment in Fort Worth, Texas. He also has made charitable contributions to little league football teams in Fort Worth and Houston. Williams majored in education at Oklahoma State. The son of Rosiland Williams, Darrent Williams was born Sept. 27, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas

This is a very unfortunate event that has taken place. Darrent William's slaying was reported as the first homicide to happen in 2007 for the city of Denver. At only 24-years-old, Williams was able to live out his dream of playing for the NFL, but his life was cut short in an instant. There needs to come a time when people will want to stop the violence. It seems that no matter how safe we may think our streets are or how protected sports figures and other celebrities are, death can approach any and all of us at any time. It is very sad that someone so young had a tragic ending to his life.