ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — A former University of Central Florida football star was shot and killed by his father Monday night in Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
News4Jax first reported the shooting death of 23-year-old Otis Anderson Jr. UCF Football confirmed Anderson Jr.’s death Tuesday afternoon on Twitter.
“We have now confirmed and are devastated to hear of the passing of Otis Anderson Jr. He was revered by his teammates, our fans, and everyone within Knight Nation,” the tweet said. “Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who loved Otis. He was taken too soon and will truly be missed.”
The deadly shooting happened Monday night in a home in Jacksonville. Another woman inside the home was also injured, according to police reports.
First Coast News reported that Anderson’s father, Otis Anderson Sr., was booked into the Duval County Jail Tuesday. He is being held on no bond and is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder, according to the report.
According to First Coast News, the incident started when a dog belonging to Anderson Jr.’s girlfriend bit Anderson Sr. A police report said Anderson Sr. was upset and bleeding and, when Anderson Jr. came downstairs to see what happened, the two men got into an argument.
The report said a witness saw the two men separate but then met again in the kitchen. The woman told police she heard a “pow” sound followed by someone saying, “you shot me.” First Coast News reported that Anderson Sr. fired more rounds with what was reportedly a silver revolver.
Anderson Jr. suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and back, according to the report. The inured woman was treated at the hospital for multiple graze wounds and later released.
Otis Anderson Jr. had a shining record at the University of Central Florida, ranking second in all-time yards per carry in school history. He was a NFL prospect who went undrafted but spent time on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad.
The Rams posted a tweet Tuesday afternoon in memory of Anderson Jr.
“The Rams are saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Otis Anderson Jr. Our sincere condolences are with his family during this very difficult time,” the team said. “Rest In Peace, Otis.”
Several Rams players also tweeted messages to their late teammate.