Police: Past UCF, University Christian football player Otis Anderson Jr. killed by dad over dog bite

Jacksonville, FL — Newly released details from police show that a dog bite started a fight that led to a shooting that killed former University of Central Florida football player Otis Anderson Jr. on Monday night in north Jacksonville.

Anderson Jr.’s mother, Denise Anderson, was injured in the shooting and his father, 52-year-old Otis Lee Anderson Sr., is now charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

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The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Monday on the 5200 block of Johnson Lake Court, which is near Interstate 295 and Dunn Avenue.

When police first responded to the home, they found Anderson Jr. had at least one gunshot wound to the chest and Denise Anderson had “multiple graze wounds,” the report said.

At the hospital, Denise Anderson told police that Anderson Sr. was upset because he was bitten by their son’s girlfriend’s dog. Anderson Sr. was bleeding throughout the house.

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According to the report, Anderson Jr. “came downstairs to see what happened and got into a verbal altercation with Anderson Sr.”

Denise Anderson told Anderson Jr. to go back upstairs, and then she and Anderson Sr. started arguing. During their argument, Anderson Sr. flipped a recliner chair, according to a report.

Anderson Jr. then came back downstairs to check on his mother. Anderson Jr. and Anderson Sr. got into another verbal altercation and Denise Anderson told police it looked like the men were going to fight, the report detailed.

The two men separated, with Anderson Jr. going through the formal dining room and Anderson Sr. going into the garage. Anderson Sr. came back inside and met Anderson Jr., according to the report.

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The next several lines of the report are redacted.

Police later searched the home and found “the crime scene matched the description of events provided by Denise Anderson,” the report said.

A pool of blood was found outside the home where Anderson Jr. collapsed and the flipped recliner was found in the living room, as well as “multiple blood drops and smears,” the report said.

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Police also found “a bullet strike and projectile” in the front window inside the formal dining room and “a projectile was also located on the master bedroom floor and multiple fragments were located around the kitchen sink,” according to the report.

Anderson Sr. appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon. He was not granted bond and his next court date is Dec. 22.

Reaction to Otis Anderson Jr.’s death

UCF’s athletic director Terry Mohajir tweeted about Anderson Jr.’s death on Tuesday morning.

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UCF Football followed up with a tweet on Tuesday afternoon, saying Anderson Jr. will be “forever a Knight.”

Josh Heupel, who was Anderson Jr.’s coach while he played at UCF, said he was “stunned by the passing.”

Current UCF coach Gus Malzahn recalled getting to meet Anderson Jr. this past spring:

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams released the following statement on Otis Anderson Jr.’s death:

“The men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office join me in mourning with the Anderson family as they deal with last night’s incredible tragedy. While the investigation continues to be carried out, we would encourage everyone to keep the family in your prayers as they work through this very difficult time.”

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The Los Angeles Rams, where Anderson Jr. played for a period of time this season, released the following statement:

Otis Anderson Jr.’s football career

Anderson Jr. played at UCF from 2017-2020 as a running back and receiver. He ranked second in the school’s history for yards per carry average.

Prior to that, he played football at University Christian in Jacksonville and helped his school earn back-to-back state championships.

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He then spent this off season with the Los Angeles Rams and joined their practice squad at the start of the season, but was cut Sept. 20.

Action News Jax’s Jessica Barreto spoke with Anderson’s former high school football coach David Penlan over the phone and shared what Otis meant to him.

“Otis was an undersized player that played like he was 6′5″. He was a great kid, always wanted the ball in his hands, always played with so much heart. He was a special kid,” Penlan said. “He was the hardest worker. Always got the picture of what it takes to be a champion.”

PHOTOS: Former UCF, University Christian football player Otis Anderson Jr. through the years

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