Ex-Florida State star receiver found not guilty on first-degree murder charges

Travis Rudolph was found not guilty on murder charges stemming from a shooting death outside his home in Palm Beach County in Florida.

The former standout receiver at Florida State pled not guilty to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

The shooting occurred on April 7, 2021, after Rudolph had a dispute with his girlfriend. A group of four people pulled up to his home in a black Cadillac to “talk with” Rudolph a few hours later, but that’s when witnesses allege a new fight broke out. 

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Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) celebrates a touchdown during the NCAA football game between the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles on November 26, 2016, at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. Florida State won the game 31-13.  (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

They said the former Florida State standout was then seen going back into his home, from where he returned with a rifle and started firing. 

The victim, Sebastien Jean-Jacques, was found dead in West Palm Beach and another victim was taken to an area hospital. Police say the shooting took place shortly after midnight. 

Travis Rudolph #15 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball during the game against the Syracuse Orange on November 19, 2016 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Florida State defeats Syracuse 45-14.   (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

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Rudolph claimed he acted in self-defense, as he fired 39 shots toward an SUV.

Rudolph, 27, was FSU’s leading receiver in 2015 and 2016. He caught 153 passes for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three years with the Seminoles.

New York Giants wide receiver Travis Rudolph (19) during the National Football League preseason game between the New York Giants and the New York Jets on August 26, 2017, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.   (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and played in seven games, making eight receptions for 101 yards and no touchdowns. He was waived the following season but signed with the Miami Dolphins before being sidelined with a torn ACL. 

Rudolph’s agent told ESPN he will attempt to make a return to football.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.