NFL Player Brandon Short’s Daughter Killed In 'Senseless Act Of Gun Violence'

The daughter of former New York Giants linebacker Brandon Short was shot and killed earlier this week in Pennsylvania, according to reports.

On Monday, Short confirmed on social media that his 24-year-old daughter, Karli Short, died in a “senseless act of gun violence."

“My heart is broken,” Brandon Short posted on Facebook on Sept. 13. “I’ve lost the light of my life... The love she had was so pure and true. The world lost a beautiful soul. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and please keep our family in your prayers as we struggle through this difficult time.”

On Sept. 13, dispatchers were tipped off to reports of an injured woman in the 300 block of 25th Street in McKeesport around 10:30 a.m., police said. Short was later found unresponsive by emergency responders having been shot in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

No suspects have been identified by authorities and as of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made. A motive in the shooting hasn’t been disclosed by officials. A spokesperson for the Allegheny County Police Department refrained from commenting on the open investigation when contacted by Oxygen.com on Thursday.

Short’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at Bethlehem Baptist Church in McKeesport, according to her family. 

Brandon Short, who played seven seasons in the NFL, was drafted by the New York Giants in 2000. He also spent two years with the Carolina Panthers. Prior to his professional career, Short played for Penn State. He was awarded MVP at the 1998 Citrus Bowl and earned All-American honors. He was elected to Penn State’s Board of Trustees in 2018.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Trustee Brandon Short's daughter, Karli Short, in her passing," Matthew Schuyler, the board of trustees’ chair, wrote in a statement sent to Oxygen.com. "That her life was cut short too soon as a result of an act of violence is a tragedy for Karli and her family and friends, and a great loss to the members of the McKeesport community. Our sympathy goes out to all who knew her best and loved her most."

Short is currently the executive director and portfolio manager at PGIM Real Estate. He previously held positions at Goldman Sachs in both New York and Dubai.

“Our hearts go out to Trustee Brandon Short and Karli Short's family and friends during this difficult time,” Penn State President Eric Barron wrote in a statement obtained by Oxygen.com. “My heart is heavy as I think about the traumatic effect this tragic loss of a young person will have on the entire McKeesport community. Our condolences go out to Brandon and the entire Short family."

Anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.