SEATTLE — Police were investigating whether a man found shot to death in a Seattle park was involved in a fight outside a nightclub that left Seahawks free safety Ken Hamlin with serious head injuries.
Terrell Milam died of multiple gunshot wounds, the King County Medical Examiner said Tuesday. Three hours after the fight early Monday, a jogger found Milam's body near Seward Park, about 5 1/2 miles away.
The fight outside Larry's nightclub left Hamlin with a fractured skull, a blood clot in his brain and bruising of the brain tissue. He remained in serious but stable condition Tuesday in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center.
Tramaine Isabell, who identified himself as Milam's brother, said video footage of the fight early Monday showed the 31-year-old Milam punching Hamlin outside the club. Isabell, who was not at the fight, gave his account to local media outlets; efforts by The Associated Press to reach Isabell on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Seattle police were looking into whether there was a link between the fight and the shooting, officer Rich Pruitt said Tuesday. He said there was no evidence yet to suggest one, or that Milam and Hamlin knew each other.
"We have talked to the brother, and we are talking to others," he said.
Hamlin's agent, Lawrence Temple, released a statement Tuesday evening stating Hamlin has retained Seattle attorney John Wolfe "to defend himself against any false accusations." Temple also said Hamlin is conscious and has his family with him.
According to the police report, Hamlin and his girlfriend were leaving Larry's, in the Pioneer Square section of Seattle, at about 2 a.m. Monday, several hours after the Seahawks defeated the Houston Texans at Qwest Field.
A shoving match between Hamlin and another man escalated, Hamlin punched the man in the face and the scuffle spread to others. Herring said Hamlin has a fractured right hand and did not appear intoxicated.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Marquand Manuel, a fourth-year veteran from Florida, will replace Hamlin and make his first career start Sunday against Dallas.
"It's pretty tough," said Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, whose locker is next to Hamlin's. "I'm very concerned about his health and I'm just hoping and praying that everything goes well."