This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20573925

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Kansas City Chiefs to play after Jovan Belcher shooting Kansas City Chiefs to play after Jovan Belcher shooting
(about 3 hours later)
The Kansas City Chiefs American Football team is to go ahead with a game at the stadium where one of their players killed himself on Saturday.The Kansas City Chiefs American Football team is to go ahead with a game at the stadium where one of their players killed himself on Saturday.
The Chiefs said Sunday's NFL fixture against the Carolina Panthers would go ahead as scheduled at Arrowhead.The Chiefs said Sunday's NFL fixture against the Carolina Panthers would go ahead as scheduled at Arrowhead.
Linebacker Jovan Belcher shot himself in a stadium car park in front of team officials on Saturday, having earlier killed his girlfriend a few miles away.Linebacker Jovan Belcher shot himself in a stadium car park in front of team officials on Saturday, having earlier killed his girlfriend a few miles away.
The club says it is co-operating with authorities in their investigation.The club says it is co-operating with authorities in their investigation.
It is unclear if and how the team plans to pay tribute to the player and his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, during Sunday's game starting at noon (18:00 GMT).It is unclear if and how the team plans to pay tribute to the player and his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, during Sunday's game starting at noon (18:00 GMT).
The Chiefs have had a poor start to the season, recording eight consecutive losses and with several players hampered by injuries. The shootings come after criticism of the team's senior management, following a poor start to the season which has seen the team record eight consecutive losses.
Many fans have called for the sacking of the team's senior management, although a demonstration against the team's leadership due to be held later on Sunday has been called off. But a demonstration against the team's leadership which had been scheduled for Sunday was called off after the deaths.
Handgun to his headHandgun to his head
On Saturday morning, 25-year-old Belcher shot dead Kasandra Perkins, 22, at their house five miles (8km) away from Arrowhead.On Saturday morning, 25-year-old Belcher shot dead Kasandra Perkins, 22, at their house five miles (8km) away from Arrowhead.
The couple had a three-month-old daughter who was believed to have been in a nearby room at the time of the shooting. Belcher's mother had also been in the house and had called police.The couple had a three-month-old daughter who was believed to have been in a nearby room at the time of the shooting. Belcher's mother had also been in the house and had called police.
Meanwhile, Belcher drove his Bentley to a training facility at the stadium where, shortly after 08:00, police sent to the scene saw the player holding a handgun to his head, talking to the Chiefs' general manager, Scott Pioli and coach, Romeo Crennel.Meanwhile, Belcher drove his Bentley to a training facility at the stadium where, shortly after 08:00, police sent to the scene saw the player holding a handgun to his head, talking to the Chiefs' general manager, Scott Pioli and coach, Romeo Crennel.
They then heard a gunshot.They then heard a gunshot.
Belcher had thanked the two men for giving him a chance in the NFL before shooting himself, police said.Belcher had thanked the two men for giving him a chance in the NFL before shooting himself, police said.
According to local TV station KMBC 9, a friend of Kasandra Perkins said the couple had squabbled about an incident the previous night but that there had been no evidence of any other problems between them.According to local TV station KMBC 9, a friend of Kasandra Perkins said the couple had squabbled about an incident the previous night but that there had been no evidence of any other problems between them.
Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn said the news of the deaths was broken to the team at a meeting with Mr Crennel later on Saturday morning.Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn said the news of the deaths was broken to the team at a meeting with Mr Crennel later on Saturday morning.
"It was obviously tough for coach to have to tell us that," Quinn told the Kansas City Star. "He really wasn't able to finish talking to us. We got together and prayed and then we moved on."It was obviously tough for coach to have to tell us that," Quinn told the Kansas City Star. "He really wasn't able to finish talking to us. We got together and prayed and then we moved on.
"I think everyone is wondering whether we could have done something to prevent this from happening.""I think everyone is wondering whether we could have done something to prevent this from happening."
Belcher, who had been with the Chiefs for four years, had played in all 11 games this season.Belcher, who had been with the Chiefs for four years, had played in all 11 games this season.
Other players offered condolences on Twitter.Other players offered condolences on Twitter.
"I am devastated by this mornings events," tweeted linebacker Tamba Hali. "I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone effected by this tragedy.""I am devastated by this mornings events," tweeted linebacker Tamba Hali. "I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone effected by this tragedy."
Friends and relatives of Belcher gathered at his childhood home on Long Island for an impromptu vigil on Saturday, turning its front garden into a shrine with a large poster, trophies and team shirts from his playing career in Kansas City, Maine and West Babylon High.Friends and relatives of Belcher gathered at his childhood home on Long Island for an impromptu vigil on Saturday, turning its front garden into a shrine with a large poster, trophies and team shirts from his playing career in Kansas City, Maine and West Babylon High.