The teenage son of former NFL player and Miami Dolphins linebacker has been charged
with murdering his parents at their home in Houston, Texas.
The 16-year-old was charged as a juvenile andis being questioned by
investigators in connection with the deaths of Antonio and Dawn
Armstrong, NBC reports.
investigators in connection with the deaths of Antonio and Dawn
Armstrong, NBC reports.
Armstrong, 42, who spent a season as a linebacker with the Miami Dolphins,
and his wife Dawn were both shot in the early hours of Friday morning.
Ms Armstrong died at the scene, while her husband was later pronounced
dead at the city’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, having suffered a gunshot
wound to his head
and his wife Dawn were both shot in the early hours of Friday morning.
Ms Armstrong died at the scene, while her husband was later pronounced
dead at the city’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, having suffered a gunshot
wound to his head
Three of the couple’s children were in the house at the time of
the shooting, police said, including a 20-year-old son and a teenage
daughter, neither of whom were hurt. The suspect called 911
at around 1.30am, shortly after the shooting occurred. His name has not been released because of age.
the shooting, police said, including a 20-year-old son and a teenage
daughter, neither of whom were hurt. The suspect called 911
at around 1.30am, shortly after the shooting occurred. His name has not been released because of age.
Police said they did not believe there was any history of domestic
abuse in the family. Houston police homicide investigator Jimmy Dodson
told KPRC that the Armstrongs were “an outstanding family”
adding that Mr Armstrong was an associate pastor at a local church.
“He’s a great guy. The mother was apparently a great mother, according
to family members,” Mr Dodson said. “It was kind of the all-American
family.”
abuse in the family. Houston police homicide investigator Jimmy Dodson
told KPRC that the Armstrongs were “an outstanding family”
adding that Mr Armstrong was an associate pastor at a local church.
“He’s a great guy. The mother was apparently a great mother, according
to family members,” Mr Dodson said. “It was kind of the all-American
family.”
Mr Armstrong had been a college football star at Texas A&M
University, and was named an All-American in his senior season as a
linebacker for the A&M Aggies. He was drafted by the San Francisco
49ers in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft but fractured an ankle in
training and was released later that year, signing with the Dolphins,
for whom he played four games.
University, and was named an All-American in his senior season as a
linebacker for the A&M Aggies. He was drafted by the San Francisco
49ers in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft but fractured an ankle in
training and was released later that year, signing with the Dolphins,
for whom he played four games.
A motivational speaker and fitness trainer, he and his wife owned a
chain of three gyms called First Class Training in the Houston area.
Former A&M head coach RC Slocum said in a statement:
chain of three gyms called First Class Training in the Houston area.
Former A&M head coach RC Slocum said in a statement:
“Antonio was a
special young man. He was an all-American and an outstanding player, but
he was an even better person. He was such a positive influence on his
teammates. He always had a great big smile and a joy to coach”
special young man. He was an all-American and an outstanding player, but
he was an even better person. He was such a positive influence on his
teammates. He always had a great big smile and a joy to coach”
Source: NBC/KPRC/Independent
