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Former star quarterback killed in Hampton shooting

Posted at 4:00 AM, Jul 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-06 04:50:38-04

HAMPTON, Va. - Hampton Police are looking for answers in connection to an overnight homicide that happened outside a fast food restaurant on East Pembroke Avenue.

Officers were called to the KFC/Taco Bell parking lot around midnight on Wednesday night in reference to gunfire. When they got to the scene they found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. He died before he could be taken to the hospital.

Police have identified the man as 46-year-old Eric Wardell Hunter of Hampton. Hunter was a former football standout at Hampton High School and went on to play college football at Purdue University.

"When you talked to him when you're finished, he was going to tell you he loves you," Hunter's older sister Yvonne remembers.

Hunter didn't make it in the NFL, something his sister wonders that led him to trouble later in life, including spending time in jail. "I think when he didn't make it in the pros, it affected him in a way that's just indescribable," said Felicia Sanders, another older sister.

As police canvassed the area of the shooting, they found damage to the restaurant building, but because the business was closed there was nobody inside and no other injuries were reported.

Right now, Hampton Police have not released any possible suspect information. They are asking anyone with information about this shooting to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK U UP.

His family created a GoFundMe Page to help with funeral expenses.