Travis Rudolph, an ex-Florida State University wide receiver who also played in the NFL, faced murder charges after shooting at four people in April 2021. According to NBC News, the shooting incident killed Sebastien Jean-Jacques and wounded Tyler Robinson. Jean-Jacques and Robinson, along with two other men, went to Rudolph’s home hours after he fought with his girlfriend.
Reportedly, Rudolph claimed that the men were armed and that he only fired the shots in self-defense. He was facing one count of first-degree premeditated murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, per CNN. A jury found him not guilty on all counts in June 2023.
A&E’s Taking the Stand will examine the case against Travis Rudolph and his captivating trial. The upcoming episode will air on the network this Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. An official synopsis states, “An argument between former NFL player Travis Rudolph and his ex-girlfriend escalates into a gunfight with her brother and his friends.”
What did ex-Florida State football star Travis Rudolph do?
According to The Palm Beach Post, the shooting incident occurred outside Travis Rudolph’s Lake Park, Florida, home on April 7, 2021. Four men showed up on Rudolph’s doorstep shortly after midnight. They intended to confront him about a dispute he had with his girlfriend, Dominique Jones, hours before. One of the men was Jones’ brother.
However, the confrontation turned violent, leading to a shootout. Investigators alleged that the four men attempted to flee in a black Cadillac when Rudolph fired 39 rounds at them. The shooting killed one man, Sebastien Jean-Jacques, who was in the passenger seat. A second individual named Tyler Robinson was injured.
The outlet reported that during his trial, Rudolph testified how the four men were beating him up that night. He recalled the incident, claiming that he only fired the shots at the men in self-defense after two of them pointed guns at him. The shootout killed Jean-Jacques and wounded Robinson while the other two men remained unharmed.
Is Travis Rudolph still playing football?
CBS News reported that Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies responded to the double shooting in Lake Park, Florida, and arrested Travis Rudolph on April 7, 2021. They then charged him with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. But, a jury found him not guilty on all counts on June 7, 2023.
Rudolph’s attorney, Marc Shiner, told CNN that the jury “reached a true and just verdict.” Shiner further stated, “Travis has been falsely accused from day one and the truth came out. Travis is a special human being, and we wish him all the success in the world as he starts his newfound freedom.” Meanwhile, Rudolph told WPBF, “I’m definitely going to celebrate with my family, and get back to trying to play football.”
According to WPEC, after his June acquittal, XFL – a professional American football minor league – revealed that Rudolph is set to play for the Orlando Guardians as a wide receiver.
NBC News reported that Travis Rudolph was Florida State’s leading receiver in 2015 and 2016. Then, according to CNN, Rudolph spent two seasons in the NFL, playing for the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins in 2017 and 2018. CBS News further reported that in 2020, he signed with the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. However, the team released him after his arrest.
A&E’s Taking the Stand will air a new episode on January 25, 2024.
