University stunned by murder

Almost 700 additional students signed up for Tiger Text today after a University of Memphis football player was fatally shot at Carpenter Complex on Sunday night.

Taylor Bradford, a junior defensive lineman from Nashville, was pronounced dead at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He was inside the gated area in Carpenter Complex when he received the fatal bullet wound. After he was shot, he drove his light-colored Lincoln across Central and hit a tree near Zach Curlin, police said. No eye witnesses have come forward at this time, according to police.

With the killer at large, officials ordered the campus to be put on lock-down. Students were not allowed to leave the dorm, and only residents were allowed to enter dorms. The lock-down lasted from around 10 p.m. until 7 Monday morning.

"We have never had a scenario like this, not in my 23 years," said Danny Armitage, associate dean of Students Residence Life and Dining Services. "Basically, the (suspects) had left the campus, but we wanted to take all precautions and not let anyone in the residence halls, unless they were a resident."

One football player, who wished to remain anonymous, was studying when he heard the gunshot.

"It sounded like somebody ran over a coke can or something. I didn't know that's what it was until everyone started calling me," he said.

Campus police said this act was targeted. A Safety Alert was sent to students, faculty and staff, providing information about the attack. "While suspect information cannot be released at this time, the initial investigation indicates this was an act directed specifically toward the victim and was not a random act of violence," it read.

Will Terrell, president of Kappa Alpha Psi, the fraternity with which Bradford was affiliated, agreed that he didn't think the act was by chance.

"I believe it was pre-meditated," Terrell said.

Bradford, 21, whose nickname among friends and family was "Booger," played two seasons at Samford University in Birmingham before transferring to The University of Memphis in fall 2006.

Right after the incident, students stood in sweatshirts, hugging and some crying outside Carpenter Complex and in Central parking lot, confused about what was going on.

"This is an example of how anything can happen to anyone," said Jonathan Crutcher, criminal justice major.

Justin Young, manufacturing engineering major, was one of the students observing the scene.

"Everybody talks about Memphis being such a dangerous campus. I never felt like this could happen before," he said.

Residents of Carpenter were gathering outside their apartment buildings.

"I'm just concerned that I don't know anything," said Krista King, biology major. "When I see the policemen flying by in our parking lot and hear the sirens, I get worried. I hate not being informed."

Dean of Students William Porter made it a point to stop by all the sorority townhouses in Carpenter himself to ensure the safety of the women living there.

"Dean Porter came and knocked on all the sorority houses," said Samantha Murphy, pre-dentistry major. "He told everyone to stay inside. He also said to call the hotline about classes being cancelled."

On Sunday night, Gionni Carr, Student Government Association president, was doing everything in his power to make sure that there would be no classes Monday.

"I would like to have some sort of mass assembly so we can all talk about this...we are in a situation where no one feels safe. I don't feel safe," he said.

Classes were canceled and tests were pushed back. A candlelight vigil was held last night.

Earlier Sunday night, Bradford stopped by all the sorority houses with Terrell and another fraternity brother to encourage all the sororities to participate in an up-coming fraternity event in order to promote diversity.

Being so close to the murder, the sorority women living in the Carpenter Townhouses expressed uneasiness about safety on campus.

"As a young woman who lives in the new sorority houses, I'm concerned about the safety not only of residents but for all students here on campus because of the amount of crime that has recently occurred," said Molly Phinney, communications major. "I love this University with all of my heart. However, actually being so close to an incident (like this) truly scares me, and I hope more precautions are executed."

The Tiger Text sent at 4 a.m. said, "Classes canceled. Main campus only. All offices open. Tune to local media or call 678-0888 for more information."

Some students have criticized The University for making the Tiger Text message so brief. However, Danny Linton, U of M web administrator, said messages are limited to 135 characters.

Apparently, last night's events encouraged more students to register for Tiger Text. Linton said that early Monday morning there were about 4,800 students signed up for Tiger Text. By 4:45 Monday afternoon, 5,464 students were signed up.

The newly installed public address system on campus was not used to alert students. However, a campus safety alert was e-mailed to students and staff at 4:30 a.m.

Football players were among the many who assembled in the parking lot on Sunday night. As Bradford's car was being towed away, they stood in a line across from the stoplight with somber faces. They stayed in the area until the car was towed away, leaving only the damaged tree as a reminder of the death of Bradford. By Monday afternoon, various remembrances had been attached to the tree.

"Taylor was my brother," Terrell said, speaking by phone from the hospital on Sunday night. "We will miss him dearly. He will be remembered. He loved to play football. He loved his family, he loved his friends and he loved Kappa. He was always full of innovation and ideas. If you were around him, you were going to have a good time."