MIAMI -- According to a report in The Palm Beach Post, a relative of Bryan Pata said he was having an argument with another man outside of his apartment when the man pulled out a gun and shot the University of Miami football player in the back of the head.

Adrenia Lynes, whose son is married to one of Pata's sisters, told the newspaper in its Friday edition that Pata was shot when he turned to walk away from the man.

Miami-Dade police on Thursday denied a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that "they have a suspect" in connection with Pata's death.

"We do not have a specific suspect in mind," Miami-Dade police Director Robert Parker said. "We've interviewed a number of individuals. We are following a number of leads, but there is definitely not a specific identified suspect in this case."

Local 10's Rad Berky said Wednesday that police were being unusually quiet about the homicide by not naming a suspect, giving out a description or describing possible motives.

Pata was shot and killed in the 9300 block of Southwest 77th Avenue early Tuesday evening shortly after leaving the practice field. Sources told Local 10 he was shot several times, including once in the back of the head, outside his apartment complex.

Homicide investigators said they have questioned a number of people, including Pata's girlfriend, Jada Brody, who called police after finding his body.

"All that I can tell you is that we're working a number of leads," Parker said.

Pata's father, Junior Pierre, said Wednesday he knows the reason his son was killed.

"It was jealousy," Pierre said.

Pata was a successful college player who was expected to have a future in professional football.

His cousin, Michael Etienne, said that Pata had reached a level of success that not everyone from his background reaches. He said some people didn't like that.

"If you didn't love him, you envied him," Etienne said.

According to the UM football media guide, Pata was a senior who took over the starting role at left defensive end over the latter part of the 2004 season. The 22-year-old Miami Central High School graduate was attending UM as a criminology major.

Pata's mother, wearing her son's No. 95 jersey, arrived at the apartment complex and collapsed. She said Pata was not only a promising NFL draft pick, but an honorable son.

"My son's a very good son (who) never had a problem with nobody," Jeanette Pata said.

But police said someone apparently did have a problem with him and shot him at about 7:30 p.m.

Homicide investigators were interviewing witnesses to the shooting.

"I can't comment on who we believe is involved," Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said. "Homicide investigators are working on that as we speak."

Sources told Local 10 that a search warrant served at Pata's apartment uncovered a semiautomatic weapon. His brother, Edrick Pata, told Berky that he had kept weapons for fun and protection, but they were all legally registered.

"(Tuesday) the University of Miami tragically lost a member of our football family, Bryan Pata," the university said in a statement. "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman appeared in 41 games for the Hurricanes, making 23 starts.

"We're trying to get through a hard time right now and it's going to take time," backup quarterback Kirby Freeman said. "And that's what being a close football family is all about. We're going to help each other with this."

Miami coach Larry Coker said the team planned to play Saturday at No. 23 Maryland "to represent our university and represent Bryan Pata." Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Local 10.

Pata's brother said he couldn't believe what happened.

"It still hasn't caught my attention yet," Edrick Pata said. "I'm going through a moment right now."

Pata Memorial Service Information:

University of Miami's Gusman Concert Hall
1314 Miller Driver
Coral Gables, Fla.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, Noon