Police Discover Two Shots Fired

Police said Monday that two shots were fired, not one, on the night the cousin of Brian Blades died at Blades’ condominium.

The Seahawks player claims the death was an accident.

One bullet struck the head of Charles Blades, and the other was fired into the wall of the room where Brian and Charles apparently were arguing on July 5, said Sgt. Mike Price of the Plantation Police Department.

“Question is, which one came first?” Price said. “Was the first shot a miss, and (did) the second shot hit its target? Or was the first shot the one that hit Charles?”

Police have no indication which scenario is correct, Price said.

However, he said the chance that the .38-caliber semiautomatic handgun could go off accidentally twice - once killing Charles, then later hitting the wall - is “highly unlikely.”

The trigger would have to be pulled twice for a semiautomatic to fire two shots.

Police also confirmed Monday that the handgun was purchased by Brian Blades and registered to him.

Bruce Zimet, Blades’ attorney, declined comment on the new information released by police. But he was upset that police released it and reiterated his client’s position that the shooting was an accident.

“Police knew the night it happened that there were two shots,” Zimet said. “They also believed at the time it was an accident.”

On tapes of 911 calls, Blades alleged the shooting was an accident. Police haven’t openly questioned that contention, but the new information could alter the tone of the investigation.

“This certainly brings some concerns in, and additional questions that need to be answered,” Price said. “And unfortunately, there’s only one person who can answer that, and that’s Brian.”

Drew Rosenhaus, Blades’ agent, said at Charles Blades’ funeral Saturday that Brian Blades will hold a press conference Wednesday at his parents’ house in suburban Fort Lauderdale.

But he may not take questions and probably won’t talk about the events early that morning, Rosenhaus said.

“As far as we’re concerned, simply holding a press conference does not excuse him or substitute for him talking with police officials,” Price said. “I don’t know what purpose this news conference is.”

Blades will talk in general terms about the morning in question but “not much along the line of specifics,” Rosenhaus said.

As far as not talking to police, he said, “The bottom line is, people have to appreciate what Brian’s going through as far as mental anguish.”

Police cannot force Blades to talk to them because he’s still considered a witness.

But the new information may increase the chances of police establishing a crime was committed, which could lead to an arrest warrant against him. If the state takes the evidence to a grand jury, and it issues an indictment and arrest warrant, Blades would be forced to give a statement.

Among the details still lacking is whether there may have been a fifth person in the condominium. Police have been led to believe only two other men were in the condo with Brian and Charles, but a neighbor who lives under the townhouse said he distinctly heard the scream of a woman immediately after the shooting. But he may have mistaken the scream of Brian or Charles for that of a woman, said Price.

Police also now believe a domestic disturbance at Bennie Blades’ home an hour earlier nearby is connected to the shooting.