Death At The U: Who Killed Bryan Pata?

Published: Nov. 6, 2020, 10 a.m.

Bryan Pata was a standout defensive lineman for the University of Miami Hurricanes, and the 22-year-old was projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick in the NFL Draft. But on November 7th, 2006, after returning home from football practice, Pata was shot and killed in the parking lot of his apartment complex. 14 years later, Pata’s murder remains unsolved. Over the years, police have pursued multiple leads in Pata’s case, but they have never made an arrest, or even publicly named a person of interest. But now, during a recent court hearing, police say they believe they know who was responsible for Pata’s death, and that an arrest will come in the foreseeable future. ESPN’s Paula Lavigne, who reported extensively on the case, brings us up to date on the investigation.