Denver Broncos Darrent Williams Killed In Drive-by Shooting

Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed and two other people with him were injured in a drive-by shooting early on New Years Day, police said on Monday.

Williams, 24, was riding in a limousine in downtown Denver after 2 a.m. when shots fired from another vehicle hit him and a man and woman also riding in his car, ABC television reported.

"Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy," Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said after he received the call from the police at around 3 a.m informing the team of Williams' death.

The shooting occurred just hours after the Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs with a 26-23 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Williams was in his second season with the Broncos coming out of Oklahoma State University as a second round draft choice.

The 5-foot-8 (1.7 metres), 188-pound (85.4-kg) cornerback started nine games in 2005, the most by a Denver rookie at that position since 1975. He had two interceptions in 2005 and four this season.

In Sunday's loss to the 49ers, Williams had three tackles and returned two punts for 50 yards before exiting the game with a shoulder injury in the second half.