MIAMI -- An attorney, speaking on behalf of the family of Washington Redskins safety and former University of Miami star Sean Taylor, says the fatal shooting was not random violence.

"There are too many coincidences," said attorney Richard Sharpstein. "It's clear this house was targeted."

Sharpstein said Taylor, his girlfriend and Taylor's 18-month-old daughter were in the bedroom of Taylor's home on Old Cutler Road when the NFL player heard noises in the living room early Monday morning.

Sharpstein said Taylor went to investigate the noises and was carrying a machete that he keeps in the bedroom. The intruder kicked in the door and then shot twice, hitting Taylor in the leg, the attorney said. Taylor lost a significant amount of blood because the bullet hit the 24-year-old's femoral artery, Sharpstein said.

Miami-Dade police went to Taylor's home at 18050 Old Cutler Road in Palmetto Bay after receiving a call from a woman around 1:30 a.m. early Monday morning. Investigators later identified the woman as Taylor's girlfriend, Jackie Garcia. Garcia is the niece of actor Andy Garcia and the mother of Taylor's daughter, also named Jackie.

Taylor was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center around 2 a.m., according to police.

Monday's break-in was at least the second for Taylor in less than two weeks. Taylor's home was ransacked and items were stolen Nov. 17, Sharpstein said. A kitchen knife was left on the bed, according to the police report.

Police did not give a description of the intruder because they said Garcia was in bed at the time of the shooting and didn't see the person.

Sharpstein said the telephone lines to the phone were either cut or the phone was intentionally shut off, since Garcia had to use her cell phone to call 911, but police will not confirm the information, Local 10's Rad Berky reported.

"Homicide detectives are going to look at every lead," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.

In the hours after Taylor's death, police continued to search his home for evidence. Taylor's father, Pedro, removed some personal effects from his son's home, including suit bags. Miami-Dade police detectives removed door frames and also took his personal computer.

Taylor's Death

Family members had been faced with grim news about his prognosis until doctors began speaking with Taylor.

"The doctor asked him to move his eyes and he responded, and he also asked him to squeeze his hands and he responded," said Pedro Taylor.

But Sharpstein said he was told Taylor never regained consciousness after being transported to the hospital and that he wasn't sure how he had squeezed the nurse's hand.

"Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something," Sharpstein said.

By Monday night, several Redskins teammates had flown to Miami and gathered at the hospital, among them former UM players Clinton Portis and Santana Moss. Team owner Dan Snyder was also seen speaking with Taylor's relatives.

Family Issues Statement

Taylor's family issued a statement after his death Tuesday.

"It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon," said Pedro Taylor, who is the police chief of Florida City.

Sharpstein said Pedro Taylor called him around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday to tell him the news of Sean Taylor's death.

In the statement released Tuesday, Pedro Taylor said many of his son's fans "loved him because (of) the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him. I can only hope and pray that Sean's life was not in vain, that it might touch others in a special way."

Background, Playing Career

As a high school player, Taylor helped lead Gulliver Preparatory School to the state title in 2000 and was considered one of the nation's top recruiting prospects by various media outlets.

Taylor played football at the University of Miami, where he was a member of the 2001 national championship team as a freshman. In his final season with the Hurricanes in 2003, Taylor was a consensus first-team All-American and named Big East Conference defensive player of the year. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back.

He left school early and became the first UM player selected in the 2004 NFL draft when the Redskins picked him fifth overall.

Last June, Taylor agreed to a plea bargain in court on charges that he brandished a weapon at people he suspected had stolen some all-terrain vehicles from his South Florida home. Taylor agreed to 18 months of probation.

Taylor was in his fourth season with the Redskins. He led the team with five interceptions but missed the last two games with a knee injury. The 212-pound safety played in his first Pro Bowl in 2006.