JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith is on a leave of absence this week helping his family deal with the shooting death of his 25-year-old brother, Brian Moore.
Moore was shot to death shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday at his home on Knox Drive, Valdosta police said. Officers said evidence indicates the shooting was an isolated incident and not random.
"(He was) fun; loved everybody. Wouldn’t hurt anybody," Moore's mother, Luci Smith, said. "That’s why (it's) devastating and hurt so bad, because I say, 'Why would anyone do this to him?'"
Police said they have identified persons of interest in the killing, but have not named a suspect.
Neighbor Pansy Fulton said she heard the gunshots Sunday night and is scared.
"For someone to just go over there and brutally kill someone for no reason, it’s just crazy," Fulton said.
Smith posted a photo of his brother on Instagram with an emotional caption that included “I'm just broke man really lost my brotha man!!”
Smith said Moore was also a football standout and got a scholarship at the University of North Carolina.
Smith, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Jaguars in 2014, played college football at Florida State University and attended high school in Valdosta.
It's been an emotional week for Smith. Two days after the death of his brother, he welcomed a baby boy, according to SBNation.
Coach Gus Bradley said Wednesday that Smith is in the team's thoughts.
"Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster he has been on? Great news today for him with the birth of his son. He just has a lot going on right now," said Bradley. "We have had great conversation. Your heart goes out for him, but I know he’s just taking everything day by day right now.”
Smith will attend a vigil for Moore to be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the house where he was killed. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Christian Love Ministries at 526 Griffin Avenue in Valdosta.
Anyone with any information about the killing is asked to call the Valdosta police at 229-242-2606.
