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Colleges
'Canes DL Pata killed
The 22-year-old senior from Miami was shot in his apartment complex, 4 miles from the university campus.
Compiled from Times wires
Published November 8, 2006
MIAMI - University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night shortly after leaving the practice field, school officials said.
The shooting occurred at the apartment complex where Pata lived, about 4 miles from campus. His death was ruled a homicide, Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said.
"Right now, we're just gathering ourselves and just trying to pull ourselves together," Miami athletic director Paul Dee said.
Rutland said police were called at 7:30 p.m. to the scene and found Pata's body in the parking lot.
"Tonight the University of Miami tragically lost a member of our football family, Bryan Pata," the university athletic department said in a release. "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates."
The 22-year-old senior who grew up in Miami was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances around Pata's death were not immediately clear.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman was in his fourth year with the Hurricanes. He was expected to be selected in next spring's NFL draft.
Miami players met for a team meeting late Tuesday night at the Hecht Athletic Center.
The Hurricanes are supposed to play at No. 23 Maryland Saturday. There has not been any announcement about whether that game will happen as scheduled.
[Last modified November 8, 2006, 07:43:05]
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