JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — After a bye week, the Jacksonville Jaguars returned to practice Tuesday glad to have movement in the shooting case of teammate Richard Collier, but are still perplexed over the incident.
Collier, a left tackle, was shot 14 times on Sept. 2 and is paralyzed from the waist down. He was released from the hospital last week after having his left leg amputated below the knee.
On Saturday, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested Tyrone Romaro Hartsfield, 32, and charged him with attempted murder.
"I'm sad about the whole situation," lineman Khalif Barnes said. "This shouldn't have happened in the first place. I hope JSO continues its work and whoever did this gets what they deserve."
Barnes was in a battle with Collier for the starting position when the shooting occurred.
Offensive lineman Tutan Reyes, Collier's best friend on the team, said he has spoken to Collier who is in "as good of spirits as possible."
"It's not really my place to speak about it," Reyes said. "He's a good dude and a good friend. I wish him a speedy recovery and am glad the police are working the case."
Jaguars lineman Tony Pashos said no arrest will undo the damage to Collier's life.
"It will help with closure a little," he said, "but at the end of the day it won't help with the rest of Rich's life. The damage has been done to Rich and he will have issues for his lifetime."
Coach Jack Del Rio echoed his team's comments.
"We're hopeful that JSO will solve this crime and justice will be served," he said.
The team is paying tribute to Collier by keeping his locker intact in the area shared by offensive linemen.