Brian Pata murder: All you need to know

Brian Pata was a University of Miami football player who was just months away from realising his NFL dream. But before the drafts could commence, someone killed the then 22-year old College Football star in 2006. 15-years on, the case is still ongoing and the investigators claimed that they finally had a breakthrough as they arrested one of his former teammates in connection to the murder in August.

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Rashaun Jones has pleaded not guilty in court on Friday and the case may go in front of a grand jury. But what exactly is this case and how did it take 15 years to make an arrest? 

On the night of November 7, 2006, the 22-year-old, 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman Brian Pata was shot multiple times outside of his Kendall apartment. Pata was driving his black Infiniti back from university. Witnesses stated they heard fighting followed by gunfire.

No money was taken from him despite there being plenty of cash in his pocket. Even his car was not stolen. So the motive was definitely not robbery.

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During the investigation, it was found from many interviews that Pata and Jones, who played three seasons for the Hurricanes, had had prior incidents. Pata had previously beaten his teammate in a physical confrontation, according to authorities. 

Jones had threatened to shoot Pata two months before his murder, according to Pata’s brother. Despite his brother’s pleas, Pata never reported the threat.

Jones told officers, during two separate interviews with detectives, that he was at home on the night of Pata’s death and never left. According to authorities, Jones’ smartphone, though, was utilising various cell towers around the time of the incident.

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And an eyewitness in the area at the time of the shooting identified Jones in a photo lineup, police said. And hence, Jones was finally arrested in August 2021, 15 years after the incident. He has pleaded not guilty of the murder and the case will go to a trial.