Almost 700 additional students signed up for Tiger Text today after a University of Memphis football player was fatally shot at Carpenter Complex on Sunday night. Taylor Bradford, a junior defensive lineman from Nashville, was pronounced dead at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

A University of Memphis football player was fatally shot in his car at Carpenter Complex about 10 Sunday night. Taylor Bradford, a junior defensive lineman from Nashville, was pronounced dead at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. After he was shot, he drove his light-colored Lincoln across central and hit a tree near Zach Curlin, police said.

The sun shone beautifully Monday afternoon, despite the somber air around campus. Parking spaces people usually fight over were empty, and benches that are normally filled with students studying or talking on cell phones sat alone. As elementary education major Kim Karnes plainly put it, things just felt surreal.

Although University President Shirley Raines said that the shooting Sunday night was a targeted crime, the Memphis Police Department is unable to verify that it was not a random act. In a Monday morning press conference, Raines said that the attack was "an act directed specifically at the victim," and "was not a random act of violence.

The fatal shooting Sunday night of University of Memphis football player Taylor Bradford has created an atmosphere of sadness and fear on The U of M campus among the student body, particularly residents. Carpenter Complex resident Trenton Busby said when he discovered that his neighbor was killed, he was in complete shock.

"I'm tired of somebody having to worry about being safe when they walk to the library. I'm tired of somebody having to worry about something other than studying for a test or doing a homework assignment. I'm just speechless." Those were the words of SGA President Gionni Carr after he arrived at Zach Curlin Avenue around 1 a.

Hundreds gathered in the student plaza Monday night to mourn and remember Taylor Bradford, The University of Memphis student who was gunned down Sunday night. The candle flames flickered in the wind as Dr. Stacy Spencer of the New Direction Christian Church spoke to a crowd of family, friends and others.