Chiefs had given counseling to Belcher, girlfriend
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City Chiefs officials knew that linebacker Jovan Belcher and his girlfriend were having relationship problems, and the team provided the couple with counseling in an effort to help, a police official said.
Belcher fatally shot Kasandra Perkins, 22, at their Kansas City home Saturday before shooting himself in the head in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot in front of team officials who were trying to stop him, including general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel.
Police Sgt. Richard Sharp told The Kansas City Star for a Tuesday story that the couple had been arguing over relationship and financial issues for months and that the team had been "bending over backward" trying to help them. Sharp didn't specify how long the couple had been undergoing counseling.
When Belcher arrived at Arrowhead on Saturday, he encountered Pioli in the parking lot and told him the assistance the team had offered hadn't fixed the couple's problems and now "it was too late," Sharp said.
Pioli tried to persuade Belcher to put down his gun as Crennel and linebackers coach Gary Gibbs arrived at the scene.
Belcher thanked the men for everything the team had done for him and asked if Pioli and team owner Clark Hunt would take care of his daughter, The Star reported.
After that, Belcher reportedly said, "Guys, I have to do this."
"I was trying to get him to understand that life is not over," Crennel said Monday. "He still has a chance and let's get this worked out."
When Belcher heard police sirens approaching, he knelt behind a vehicle and shot himself in the head.
Investigators believe Belcher killed himself because he was distraught over shooting Perkins, Sharp said.
"He cared about her," Sharp said. "I don't think he could live with himself."
The night before the killings, Perkins had attended a concert downtown with friends and Belcher had been out at the Power and Light District, police said, while Belcher's mother was watching their 3-month-old baby. Detectives don't know exactly what the couple was arguing about but The Star reported that Belcher was upset that Perkins had stayed out so late.
Autopsies with toxicology tests were performed on both bodies but it could be weeks before results are known, police said.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp said Monday that Belcher's mother was given temporary custody of the couple's daughter.
Belcher fatally shot Kasandra Perkins, 22, at their Kansas City home Saturday before shooting himself in the head in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot in front of team officials who were trying to stop him, including general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel.
Police Sgt. Richard Sharp told The Kansas City Star for a Tuesday story that the couple had been arguing over relationship and financial issues for months and that the team had been "bending over backward" trying to help them. Sharp didn't specify how long the couple had been undergoing counseling.
When Belcher arrived at Arrowhead on Saturday, he encountered Pioli in the parking lot and told him the assistance the team had offered hadn't fixed the couple's problems and now "it was too late," Sharp said.
Pioli tried to persuade Belcher to put down his gun as Crennel and linebackers coach Gary Gibbs arrived at the scene.
Belcher thanked the men for everything the team had done for him and asked if Pioli and team owner Clark Hunt would take care of his daughter, The Star reported.
After that, Belcher reportedly said, "Guys, I have to do this."
"I was trying to get him to understand that life is not over," Crennel said Monday. "He still has a chance and let's get this worked out."
When Belcher heard police sirens approaching, he knelt behind a vehicle and shot himself in the head.
Investigators believe Belcher killed himself because he was distraught over shooting Perkins, Sharp said.
"He cared about her," Sharp said. "I don't think he could live with himself."
The night before the killings, Perkins had attended a concert downtown with friends and Belcher had been out at the Power and Light District, police said, while Belcher's mother was watching their 3-month-old baby. Detectives don't know exactly what the couple was arguing about but The Star reported that Belcher was upset that Perkins had stayed out so late.
Autopsies with toxicology tests were performed on both bodies but it could be weeks before results are known, police said.
Police spokesman Darin Snapp said Monday that Belcher's mother was given temporary custody of the couple's daughter.
Financial issues? Learn me about that NFL minimum wage again.
The Chiefs obviously didn't ask Belcher if he kept any firearms in their house if they were providing counseling sessions.
 @Superman_1967 Not a relievant question, the team would have no right to know anyway. Anything said in a counseling session is required to be kept between the parties in the room at the time unless there is a threat made. The fact that the team provided a counselor shows that they care for their employees.
@Keysontheright Not a relevant question, are you kidding me?????? The guy shoots his girlfriend 9 times, and it's not a relevant question?????
 @Superman_1967 Its not something an employer is allowed to ask any employee regardless of professional sports or regular blue collar job.
When ever a white person kills there is always a psychological explanation for it. But when a black person kills, the perception is their savages and beware of all blacks. Where is the question of mental illness with Belcher? Contrary to popular belief all blacks are not natural born killers.Â
@Hehateme Troll
 @Superman_1967  @Hehateme LOL. Fast from that ignorance and grow up. 1967, aren't you a little old to still be calling yourself Superman!
 @Hehateme You again? Call this guy what you want, create all of the excuses you can to justify or vindicate his actions. It won't happen. He is a murderer. Just like that scumbag in the U-District Cafe. You are the first to apply the race card every time. Get over it! It has no place here. The only mental illness this guy had was... tapping another gal the night before he murdered his wife and blowing his own brains out. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/chief_other_girl_uULWUcuM7p4tJb2PLeaITP No one is promoting 'beware of all blacks'. You are. Look in the mirror pal. Oh.. and remind me of the explanation for that punk that shot the WSP Trooper last February. There is none. Just go back to hating.
 @d_2  @Hehateme I think your the same idiot who was asking why was the mentally ill Cafe person was on the street in the first place. Yes, Belcher is a murderer he murdered his wife. But why? Why isn't a series of questions concerning his mental state being answered the same way the movie theater killer is currently being evaluated, or Gabby Gifford's shooter? I bet you were curious what made those killers tick. Why not Belcher? Stop being a hate hypocrite and grow up. Life will be much clearer to you and your fellow cowards.Â
 @Hehateme Nope.. wrong guy.  You categorize Belcher w/ those other scumbags?  Cowards?  Pal... you're the one hiding behind the race card.  It is very clear.  Carry on brother.. you don't disappoint.
 @Hehateme Wow, now that is racist.Â
Stupid assessment and comparison. Have you no sympathy for this family? People like you should keep your racist comments to yourself. Not all people are racist like you.....go back under your rock and stay there.
 @mustang sally Typical. I can tell you the psychological assessment given by the media of the last five vicious white killers in America. Including the one who shot those people in the Cafe in Seattle. Now why isn't the question asked about Belcher mental state. The media knows about what he did the night before, so why won't they look further into his mental background.