The Inside ViewTragedy Strikes Again
Wiley Thompson, former Assistant Director, FBI / May 28, 2009
Football fans and players everywhere are reeling from the sudden death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair who was killed by a female friend while asleep on a sofa in a trendy condo near downtown Nashville, TN, on Saturday, July 5th. McNair was a local favorite and had recently retired from football after a distinguished career with the Tennessee Titans and later, the Baltimore Ravens. He was married with four (4) children.
Police believe the killer was 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a waitress whom McNair met about 6 months ago in a restaurant where he and his family frequented. Kazemi, who committed suicide after killing McNair, purchased a handgun just 2 days before the shooting. McNair was shot four (4) times. Homicide detectives believe McNair died from the first shot, which was in the head. Kazemi then shot him twice in the torso before putting a final bullet again to the head. It took investigators several days to put the pieces together. But it appears that after murdering McNair, Kazemi sat at his side and shot herself, hoping that her body would fall in his lap. Instead, she rolled off McNair and onto the floor where she died.
I choose to remember Steve McNair as a feisty and fierce competitor who took the Titans to their only Super Bowl in 2000 and who was a Pro-Bowler. McNair was very generous with his time and his money, investing his life in children. It’s sad that he would die under these circumstances, but let us take the high road and celebrate the life of highly recruited "Air McNair" from rural Mississippi who played at a small college in his home state before being drafted in the third round and going on to provide extraordinary leadership in the NFL.
Professional athletes and entertainers are particularly vulnerable to becoming the victim of a violent crime. We’ll never know the real relationship between McNair and Kazemi, or why a young woman of her age would suddenly snap and commit murder, but the incident serves as a reminder that life is short and should be cherished. The shooting also causes me to reflect upon the growing trend of many to acquire security, whether in the form of bodyguards, cameras and/or alarms, for protection. For some, it’s a thorough background investigation to check the bona-fides of a new associate. For others, it’s a comprehensive risk analysis to identify and quantify the threat, then find a security solution.
Camera and alarm systems often are ideal because they capture and record data that can warn you of an impending danger, and can serve as evidence in a court of law.
Experience has taught me that some crimes cannot be prevented. But I have an obligation to myself and my family to do my best. And you do, too. Spend time assessing your surroundings, your daily activities, your new associates, with safety in mind. Develop a security plan and get professional help, if necessary. Protect yourself and your loved ones with simple measures. Don’t allow yourself to become an easy victim.
If you would like to make a comment about this blog or seek advice, email wthompson@blakewilliampm.com.
