Why was ex-NBA player Adreian Payne killed?

Former NBA and EuroLeague player Adreian Payne died in Orlando, Florida, while trying to help a woman who was involved in a domestic dispute, according to the findings of a police investigation.

Authorities say the suspect, Lawrence Dority, was arrested for first degree murder with a firearm  and sent to Orange County Jail. Dority has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Payne tried to intervene in couple’s fight

Court documents say that Payne and his girlfriend went to Dority’s house so that the basketball player could possibly mediate between Dority and his girlfriend, Tatiana Mesa.

Payne’s girlfriend reportedly described Mesa and Dority as having a relationship where they would often argue. She also said she has previously acted as a mediator to prevent violence.

Payne and his girlfriend were parked outside Dority’s home when he arrived in his father’s car. Witnesses say Dority approached the vehicle’s driver side and talked to Payne.

Dority claimed he felt threatened by Payne’s size, which is why he went inside his house to get his gun with which he shot Payne.

Dority’s father got out of his car to try to help Payne by providing first aid, but the basketball player died in the hospital an hour later.

Shooter calls 911 after attack

Dority called 911 after the shooting, claiming that he was attacked. Official documents show that he said a man had tried to enter his house and shoot him. He said he shot the alleged attacker because he was trying to protect his family and his home.

Florida law states that a resident who was in a place where he or she had a right to be has a right “to meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death” or bodily harm.

Orange County Sheriff deputies said Payne was not a threat, and that he was unarmed. No firearms were found in his vehicle.

The basketball world soon came out to express their shock at Payne’s death and to pay him tribute.