Teen son of Packers assistant Sherman found shot to death
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The 14-year-old son of Green Bay Packers assistant coach Ray Sherman died of a gunshot wound to his head after finding the weapon in the family garage.
It was not immediately clear whether it was an accident or suicide, Lt. Jim Arts said Monday. Ray Sherman Jr. was helping his family move from a rented home Sunday afternoon when he found the gun, which belongs to his father.
"He was in the garage by himself, but there were other family members in the home," Arts said.
His father found him 10 minutes after the gun went off and called 911, Arts said.
The boy's father, his mother, two younger sisters, 5 and 11, and a grandmother were home at the time but didn't hear the shot, Arts said.
The coach told police the gun and ammunition were usually kept in separate places, Arts said. The gun was in a duffel bag on a shelf in the garage.
"We don't know if it was a suicide or accidental.... It is quite possible we may never have that answer," Arts said.
An autopsy was planned Monday that may help provide some answers.
Arts helped coach the boy on an eighth-grade football team and said he was talented enough to play any position.
"He was just a wonderful young man, very well liked," Arts said.
Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb said Sunday night the team had no comment and referred all questions to the Green Bay Police Department. He did not immediately return another call Monday morning.
Sherman, the wide receivers coach, joined the Packers in 2000 and has been in the NFL for 15 seasons as a coach for the Vikings, Steelers, Jets, 49ers and the Falcons and the former Houston Oilers.
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The 14-year-old son of Green Bay Packers assistant coach Ray Sherman died of a gunshot wound to his head after finding the weapon in the family garage.
It was not immediately clear whether it was an accident or suicide, Lt. Jim Arts said Monday. Ray Sherman Jr. was helping his family move from a rented home Sunday afternoon when he found the gun, which belongs to his father.
"He was in the garage by himself, but there were other family members in the home," Arts said.
His father found him 10 minutes after the gun went off and called 911, Arts said.
The boy's father, his mother, two younger sisters, 5 and 11, and a grandmother were home at the time but didn't hear the shot, Arts said.
The coach told police the gun and ammunition were usually kept in separate places, Arts said. The gun was in a duffel bag on a shelf in the garage.
"We don't know if it was a suicide or accidental.... It is quite possible we may never have that answer," Arts said.
An autopsy was planned Monday that may help provide some answers.
Arts helped coach the boy on an eighth-grade football team and said he was talented enough to play any position.
"He was just a wonderful young man, very well liked," Arts said.
Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb said Sunday night the team had no comment and referred all questions to the Green Bay Police Department. He did not immediately return another call Monday morning.
Sherman, the wide receivers coach, joined the Packers in 2000 and has been in the NFL for 15 seasons as a coach for the Vikings, Steelers, Jets, 49ers and the Falcons and the former Houston Oilers.
