Bucs' Aqib Talib faces felony charge

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were left to contemplate a future without one of their best young players Tuesday after a felony arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for starting cornerback Aqib Talib in connection with a shooting incident in Texas.

Talib, a first-round NFL draft pick in 2008, is expected to turn himself in later this week on a warrant of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police in Garland, Texas, say he attempted to pistol-whip and fired shots at his sister's boyfriend. Bail will be set at $25,000.

The charge, a second-degree felony, carries a punishment of five to 20 years in prison, police said.

"We are deeply troubled by the serious charges filed against Aqib Talib," Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said in an emailed statement. "Due to current labor circumstances, we will withhold any further comment or action."

During the current NFL work stoppage, Tampa Bay cannot have any contact with players or make any personnel moves, including releasing or trading players under contract.

Buccaneers center Jeff Faine, a team captain, expressed concern.

"I hope everything works out for Aqib Talib," Faine said. "It's unfortunate to see him caught up in that situation and dealing with what he's dealing with right now. I just hope it all works out for him.''

Talib's mother, Okolo Talib, 58, also is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She turned herself in to police Tuesday morning and, at the time of her booking, also was charged with felon in possession of a firearm due to a previous conviction, police said. Bail was set at $30,000.

The investigation began when police were called at around 7:30 p.m. March 21 to a disturbance where people were fighting and gunshots were heard at the home of Aqib Talib's sister, Saran Talib, and her longtime boyfriend, Shannon Billings, 40.

According to an arrest affidavit for Okolo Talib:

Aqib Talib confronted Billings, pointed a 9mm handgun at him and told Billings he was going to hit him with it, according an arrest affidavit.

Aqib Talib swung the gun at Billings but missed. The gun slipped out of his hand, fell to the ground and struck a fence. Billings picked up the gun and it was jammed and inoperable, he told detectives.

Aqib Talib attempted to fight Billings. Then Okolo Talib arrived at the home, 942 Green Pond Drive, Garland, Texas, jumped out of her vehicle holding a handgun and shot at Billings.

Aqib Talib got the gun from his mother and also shot several times at Billings, police said.

"We were very fortunate that no one was shot and killed that day," said Garland police spokesman Joe Harn.

When police arrived, Billings was found outside of the home. Billings was listed as a suspect in a disturbance at the home earlier in the day. He was taken into custody for the earlier incident and charged with assault and interference with an emergency phone call, police said.

Aqib Talib has been cooperative and was interviewed by Garland police detectives late last week, Harn said.

Once an NFL labor agreement is reached and the lockout ends, Talib likely will face discipline from the league, regardless of how his criminal case unfolds.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not hesitated to make examples of players who run afoul of the law or cast the league in a negative light.

"The conduct and drug policies are currently suspended," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email to The Tampa Tribune. "However, any violations of law that occur during the work stoppage will be reviewed for potential discipline."

Talib, 25, has drawn Goodell's attention before.

He was suspended for the opening game of 2010 for a 2009 incident in which he was charged with simple battery and resisting arrest in connection with an assault on a taxi driver in Pinellas County.

In July 2008, Talib was involved in a fight with teammate Cory Boyd at the NFL's Rookie Symposium. In May 2009, Talib got into a fight with teammate Donald Penn during a minicamp camp workout and wound up hitting another player, Torrie Cox, in the face with his helmet.

Talib, selected 20th overall out of Kansas, is among the talented players at the core of Tampa Bay's youth movement. He took over as the starting left cornerback in 2009.

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