Darrent Williams killed by a single shot to neck, autopsy confirms
Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News
Published January 31, 2007 at midnight
Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed by a single medium- to large-caliber bullet to the neck, according to autopsy results released Tuesday.
The nine-page report states that a bullet entered the left side of his neck and exited the right at a slightly rearward angle.
The bullet's trajectory cut through the mid-left internal jugular vein, the right common carotid artery and the mid-right internal jugular vein.
The report shows that the projectile's deformed copper casing was recovered from the area of the exit wound but that the bullet's core left his body.
Williams, 24, was pronounced dead at 2:35 a.m. Jan. 1 at Denver Health Medical Center, about 15 minutes after the initial call was made to 911.
Toxicology reports showed a blood alcohol level of .051 percent, just barely over the legal limit for driving - but Williams was not at the wheel of the rented stretch Hummer limousine in which he and his entourage were riding at the time of the shooting.
A gunman in a white Chevrolet Tahoe linked to a known gang member opened fire on Williams' group, which was northbound on Speer Boulevard at 11th Avenue after they left a birthday party for Nuggets player Kenyon Martin at the the nearby Club Safari.
Two other passengers were wounded in the incident. Witnesses said that the Hummer's windows were tinted darkly enough that its occupants likely weren't clearly visible to the gunman who fired the barrage of at least 14 bullets.
The Tahoe, found by police after it was spray-painted and abandoned, belongs to Brian Kenneth Hicks. He was in jail in connection with unrelated cases when Williams was killed.
No charges have been filed in Williams' slaying. But one man, 23-year-old Willie D. Clark, was arrested Jan. 5. Termed by police a "person of interest" in the Williams investigation, Clark is being held on an alleged parole violation. He will have a parole hearing Friday.
Funds for children
The Denver Broncos have combined the Darrent Williams Children's Fund with a similar fund created by the National Football League Players Association.
• Purpose of fund To take care of future educational and health needs for Williams' children, Darius and Jaelyn
• How to contribute Send donations to Darrent Williams Trust Fund, c/o NFL Players Association, 2021 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20036
brennanc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2742
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