Kelvin Joseph, Cowboys CB, did not fire fatal shots, lawyer says
Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph has been linked to a shooting death in Dallas.
Dallas police want to question the Cowboys’ 2021 second-round pick in a murder investigation into the fatal March 18 shooting of Cameron Ray, a 20-year-old shot dead near a local bar.
Joseph’s attorney told the Dallas Morning News that his client “did not shoot” Ray, but acknowledged that his client was a passenger in a car from which several shots were fired.
“Mr. Ray’s death is a tragedy and Kelvin sends his deepest condolences for the loss of the family,” Sorrel told The News. “On the night of March 17, Kelvin was unarmed and not looking for violence He found himself in a situation that escalated without his knowledge or consent.
“With condolences to the Ray family, Kelvin apologizes to the Dallas community for coming close to this type of incident. The investigation is ongoing and we intend to respect the process.
The matter is also being investigated by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, a league spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Friday afternoon.
The Cowboys released a statement confirming they are aware of the incident.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Ray,” a team spokesperson said in a statement. “The organization is aware of the possible link between Kelvin Joseph and this incident. We are in contact with Dallas law enforcement and have alerted the NFL office.
“We have no further comment at this time.”
Dallas Detective Tonya McDaniel declined to comment when contacted by USA TODAY Sports Thursday night.
A Dallas Police spokesperson also said the department “does not confirm the identity of any individual or person of interest unless the department has charged the individual, has arrested or that we are actively looking for the person in connection with a crime”.
The department posted video of the incident on its blog on Friday, renewing its request for help in identifying the individuals in the black SUV from the time shots were allegedly fired.
Dallas police responded to an incident on March 18 at 2:01 a.m. local time and found Ray shot dead at the scene. Dallas Fire-Rescue transported him to an area hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Dallas police opened an aggravated assault investigation and then reassigned the case to their homicide unit. The investigation is ongoing, the ministry said, and the motive is unknown.
The Cowboys drafted Joseph, who played collegiately for LSU and then Kentucky, with the 44th overall pick of the 2021 draft. He played 10 games as a rookie, starting two, after landing on injured reserve due to of a groin injury. Joseph totaled 164 defensive snaps and 142 on special teams, scoring 16 tackles, one for loss, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. The Cowboys expected Joseph to take on a bigger role in the defense of coordinator Dan Quinn in his second year pro.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.
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