Family of slain UConn player confident of arrest, asks team to play rest of season for Howard

Family of slain UConn player confident of arrest

STORRS, Conn. — The family of a University of Connecticut football player fatally stabbed over the weekend says it is confident the killer will be brought to justice.

Stepfather Henry Williams spoke to reporters Tuesday. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support the family has received from the Connecticut community since 20-year-old Jasper Howard was stabbed to death early Sunday morning outside a university-sponsored dance.

Williams says Howard loved UConn and considered the team his second family. He is asking UConn players to take a moment to grieve, and then play the rest of the season for his son.

Howard’s mother, Joangila, did not speak, and had to leave the room during Williams’ remarks when she was overcome with emotion.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The football coach at the University of Connecticut said Tuesday he’s heard nothing to indicate members of his team were involved in a fight before player Jasper Howard was killed over the weekend.

Randy Edsall, speaking at his weekly pre-game news conference, said there may have been some “verbal jostling” but has not been told that any of his players were fighting with anyone.

Police have said Howard was stabbed to death, and another player suffered minor injuries, during a fight outside a university-sponsored dance early Sunday. Nobody has been charged with the stabbing, and UConn police said Tuesday there were no new developments in the investigation.

Hartford attorney Devon Freeman said he represents a man whose home has been searched in connection with the fight. The man, whom Freeman would not identify, and several others got into a fight “with about six” UConn football players early Sunday. Freeman said his client did not stab Howard but was present when Howard was mortally wounded.

Freeman said Monday that police told his client that he and others would be arrested, but on Tuesday Freeman said he didn’t know when or if charges would be filed.

Police on Tuesday were asking for the public’s help in gathering evidence in the killing, particularly from people who may have taken photos or videos of the fight. The violence broke out just after a fire alarm went off in a student center, forcing around 300 people to evacuate from a dance.

Students held a day of silence on Tuesday, while the Black Student Association has asked everyone on campus to wear dark clothing Tuesday to indicate that the university is united in mourning.

One person has been charged in connection with the fight. Johnny Hood, 21, of Hartford, was arraigned Monday on charges of interfering with an officer and breach of peace. But he has not been charged in Howard’s death, and police haven’t named a suspect.

Hood is being represented by Freeman’s brother, Justin Freeman. Justin Freeman said his client was “at the wrong place at the wrong time,” and did not even know a homicide had occurred.

Edsall said at least two other players were present and tried in vain to save Howard’s life.

Howard’s mother visited players on Monday, Edsall said, and his uncle, a former Miami police officer, advised them not to seek revenge.

The football team was to practice Tuesday for the first time since Howard’s death to prepare for this weekend’s game against Big East foe West Virginia.

Howard was a junior who had come to UConn to get away from the violence on the streets of his hometown of Miami. He was the first in his family to go to college.

The stabbing came less than 12 hours after UConn’s 38-25 homecoming victory over Louisville. Howard, Connecticut’s starting cornerback, was credited with 11 tackles and forced a third-quarter fumble inside the Huskies’ 5-yard line with Connecticut holding a 21-13 lead.

The team will wear a sticker with Howard’s initials on its helmets for the rest of the season and will carry his helmet or jersey to away games, Edsall said.

The coach said he doesn’t know if two teammates who helped Howard after he was stabbed and bleeding will play when the Huskies visit Big East foe West Virginia on Saturday. “I’ll honor whatever decision they want to make,” he said.

West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said plans are in the works to honor Howard at Saturday’s game.