Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide Wednesday at the age of 24, was “armed” and his girlfriend was concerned he would “end it all,” according to the audio dispatch.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Thursday morning that Kneeland died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
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“We’re talking to the girlfriend, she’s trying to call the agent, so we’re trying to get her to call him first but she’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness, and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,’” the dispatcher said in the two-minute-plus audio obtained by TMZ Sports.
The call also featured a warning from a dispatcher.
“You all do me a favor, everybody stay with a buddy, don’t go looking alone, this guy is armed,” the person said.
Kneeland is said to have texted his family “goodbye.”
“…I just received a group text from him saying goodbye, they’re concerned for his welfare, they do not have a key to the apartment,” another dispatcher said in the clip, which appeared to start mid-sentence.
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A dispatcher later stated that no one was at the apartment, while another said a lieutenant said the NFL called Plano, Texas, police.
The Texas DPS said in a statement Thursday that its officers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation at 10:33 p.m. Wednesday, but the vehicle did not stop and an unsuccessful pursuit unfolded.
Marshawn Kneeland before a December 2024 game. Getty Images
They later found the vehicle abandoned but with traces of a collision, and “DPS Aircraft and troopers” plus the Frisco police department found Kneeland dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Frisco police said they received information that Kneeland — who they said fled on foot — had “suicidal intentions,” and they found him dead at 1:31 a.m.
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The audio dispatch indicated they found him in a porta-potty near a building,
Marshawn Kneeland and his girlfriend, Catalina. Instagram / @szn.stitches
“We didn’t see any movement, still got that heat signature, looks like it’s curled up at the bottom of that porta-potty,” the dispatcher said. “With the stream of blood coming from the porta-potty.”
Another person stated: “He’s going to be laying on his side, facing inward, and quite a bit of blood coming out, a possible (indeciperhable).”
The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official determination on the cause of death, according to the release.
Kneeland’s girlfriend. Instagram / @szn.stitches
Marshawn Kneeland with his mother (left). Instagram / @m_kneeland99
The Cowboys announced Kneeland’s death Thursday morning.
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The team selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 18 games over the past two seasons with four starts.
He had one sack this season and scored a touchdown in Dallas’ loss to Arizona on Monday.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” the Cowboys said in a release. “Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
Kneeland’s agent, Jon Perzley, released a heartfelt statement about his former client.
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“I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys,” Perzley said in a statement, as relayed by NFL Network. “Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit, and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.
“My heart aches for his family, his teammates, and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
