Jaguars' Collier shot, critically wounded

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Richard Collier was shot and critically wounded in an early morning attack Tuesday, police said.

The 26-year-old offensive tackle was hospitalized after someone shot him as he sat in a vehicle with former Jaguar Kenneth Pettway outside an apartment in Jacksonville's Riverside area, investigators said.

Several shots were fired, police said.

Collier was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center.

"We're shocked and deeply saddened by this morning's news about Richard Collier," Jaguars' owner Wayne Weaver said. "We have been informed that Richard has had surgery and he's in critical but stable condition. The entire Jaguars family is praying for Richard and his family at this time."

Police searched for suspects and tried to determine a motive for the attack.

The Florida Times-Union said sheriff's deputies determined that the 6-foot-7, 345-pound Collier and Pettway, who was recently released by the team, were waiting for two women they had met at a nightclub. The group apparently was in the process of dropping off the women's car when someone showed up with a gun and opened fire on the vehicle occupied by Collier and Pettway.

The newspaper said it did not appear that the women had been involved in the shooting.