UConn football player stabbed to death

STORRS, Conn. (WTNH) - It was an emotional day on the UConn campus as the Huskies said goodbye to a star cornerback and NFL hopeful; a beloved teammate and friend; an excited 20-year-old father-to-be. Jasper Howard was stabbed to death at a Huskies homecoming dance party.

"I know that our community is grieving this loss and we're all stressed by the violence it did involve," said UConn President Mike Hogan.

It all started around 12:30 Sunday morning when someone pulled a fire alarm in the "U" forcing the crowds of more than 300 people, UConn students and others, outside.

UConn Police say that's when a fight started between two groups and 20-year-Howard and one other were stabbed multiple times.

"There's no indication at this point in time that this act is premeditated from inside the dance. I think that's what your getting at. There's no indication of that, but we are early on in this investigation," said Major Ronald Blicher of UConn Police Department.

Both stabbing victims were taken to area hospitals, one treated and released.

Howard was pronounced dead hours after the incident at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford where his coach, Randy Edsall, stood watch all night.

"I have two children of my own, but I"ve got 105 other sons. And one of my sons has been taken away," said Edsall.

A campus-wide alert was issued early Sunday and UConn Police Department have stepped up their patrols around campus in the wake of the incident and are working with State Police on the investigation.

Anyone with information on what happened is asked to call UConn police at 860-486-4800. The state police major crimes squad is assisting with the investigation.