The Dallas police departmentap four-month investigation into the June 5 shooting of Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib is complete and it has determined that Talib shot himself, according to a WFAA television report that cited sources. The report also stated that no charges would be filed against Talib.
Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications, said they are still reviewing the incident for any possible league discipline. Talib would be subject to possible discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Dallas police senior corporal Tramese Andrews of the media relations department said: “I have not been made aware of any new information regarding that incident and cannot confirm any information regarding your request” in reference to confirmation of the WFAA report.
The Broncos did not have a comment on the report.
Sources say Dallas PD has completed the Aqib Talib case. They've determined the Broncos cornerback was not shot by someone but shot himself.
— Rebecca Lopez (@rlopezwfaa)
Initially Talib told officers he was shot while standing in a park on June 5th. But, police unfounded that claim.
— Rebecca Lopez (@rlopezwfaa)
Dallas police sources say no charges will be filed against Talib. The case is closed & they are taking his word that he shot himself.
— Rebecca Lopez (@rlopezwfaa)
The morning of the incident, Talib told Dallas police he was to remember what happened when he suffered a gunshot wound to his lower right leg. The initial police report listed an “unknown suspect” with Talib as a shooting victim. Talib was taken to Medical City Dallas Hospital that Sunday morning and did not travel with the Broncos to their White House visit to celebrate their Super Bowl 50 victory the following Monday.
Talib’s wound did not require surgery. He missed some practice and preseason games early in training camp, but he did not miss any regular-season time.
A long wait for discipline is not unprecedented. Broncos safety T.J. Ward was nearly 15 months after he was accused of throwing a mug at a strip club bartender.
Talib’s history could have an impact in any from the NFL.
In 2009, Talib was arrested and charged in Florida with simple battery and resisting arrest for assaulting a taxi driver, and the NFL suspended him one game in 2010. In 2011, he was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon during a domestic dispute in Dallas, but the charge was dismissed. In April 2015, Dallas police looked into an alleged aggravated assault involving Talib outside a nightclub but suspended the investigation because of a lack of evidence.
“Article 46 (of the CBA) doesn’t require there be conviction, doesn’t require there be a charge, doesn’t require there be a lawsuit, doesn’t even require there be an allegation,” Michael McCann, a University of New Hampshire law professor and the director of its Sports and Entertainment Law Institute, told The Denver Post in June. “… I think if the league wants to send a message, it would be more about guns and players possessing guns, if in fact thatap what happened here. And if (Talib) was inebriated, I think the league would want to convey a message about that.”
Talib’s agent, Todd France, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Talib is off to a great start this season with three interceptions in the first four games, including two interceptions in his return to Tampa Bay last Sunday.
“I’m blessed. I definitely continue to say my prayers every morning and every night,” Talib said before the Broncos’ season opener against Carolina. “It’s definitely a blessing to be able to suit up for this first game.”
