Taylor dies after shooting

The 24-year-old was taken to hospital on Monday after being shot in the leg at his suburban Miami residence, but passed away on Tuesday after undergoing nearly six hours of emergency surgery to repair a severed femoral artery.

Taylor's attorney, Richard Sharpstein, told the newspaper: "He did not make it through the night."

According to Miami Dade police, Taylor was shot by an intruder attempting to break into his home in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs had addressed the media on Monday afternoon, admitting his team has been stunned by the news concerning Taylor.

"For all of us here, we're obviously in shock," a misty-eyed Gibbs had said. "I know I can't put it in words. I know I wouldn't do a very good job of explaining to you all how we feel - I know all of our fans out there are praying.

"All of us are emotional right now, caught up in it. All of us are praying for the absolute best for Sean and his family."

A former star at the University of Miami, Taylor has had several run-ins with the law over the last four years and also has been fined seven times during his professional career for late hits and other on-field infractions.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who also played with Taylor at Miami, said on Monday his collegiate and pro team-mate changed his life following the birth of his daughter last year.

"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling."