McNair death ruled homicide

NASHVILLE, July 5 (UPI) -- The shooting death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair has been ruled a homicide, authorities in Nashville said after an autopsy Sunday.

But police could not say immediately whether the death of a young woman whose body was found near that of McNair Saturday was a suicide or homicide, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.

The autopsy determined McNair, 36, died early Saturday of four gunshot wounds, two to the head and two to the chest. The other victim, Sahel Kazemi, 20, died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators found a semiautomatic pistol near her body.

Police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters Sunday investigators need to question family and friends -- as well as witnesses who may have seen McNair and Kazemi on the town Friday night -- before they can determine what happened leading up the shooting in a Nashville condominium.

"While it is clear McNair's death is a homicide, the police department is not classifying Kazemi's death, pending further investigation and interviews with persons who knew her and McNair," Aaron said.

McNair, a married father of fours sons, had been seeing Kazemi for months, The Tennessean said.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said he and his wife, Andrea, were "very saddened" by the death of McNair, who led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance.

"He has always felt like part of the Nashville family, and he will be sorely missed," Bredesen said.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said Nashville "will always be grateful to Steve McNair for his talent, his leadership and his courage. His selfless style of play endeared him to the fans of Nashville and all of Tennessee."

McNair also played for the Baltimore Ravens.