Former NFL defensive back Terrell Roberts was shot dead in his grandmother’s backyard late Wednesday, the New York Post reported.

The former Cincinnati Bengals player was visiting his grandmother in Richmond, California, when an invader entered the matriarch’s home, Roberts’ relatives told Bay Area – San Francisco CBS affiliate KPIX.

According to Enrik Melgoza, Richmond police sergeant, law enforcement responded to a report of a shooting around 4 p.m. Wednesday and found the NFL player dead in the backyard with a gunshot wound to his chest.

CNN reported witnesses spotted the former NFL player stumble into the backyard after a "disturbance."

Relatives said Roberts was “not mixed up in anything bad” and didn't have any foes. Melgoza, however, said the shooting stemmed from an altercation between the 38-year-old and the suspected shooter in the garage.

Due to the investigation, the sergeant declined to discuss evidence recovered from the scene of the crime.

Police and investigators say they are still searching for the suspect.

Word of Roberts’ passing swept across social media, garnering condolences from former teammates and fellow athletes.

View this post on Instagram

Breaking News: Former Oregon State DB Terrell Roberts (1999-2002) has been shot and killed while visiting his grandmother in Richmond, California. Motive for the murder is still unknown. Roberts had 5 INTs at OSU and scored on a 45 yard fumble recovery in the 2001 fiesta Bowl. He played two seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003 and 2004. First pic: Fumble recovery vs. ND Second pic: Roberts in a game in 2001 #gobeavs #ripTR #breakingnews #terrellroberts #beavernation #beaverswag #beatCalPoly #cfb

A post shared by Oregon State Swag (@beaverswag) on Sep 12, 2019 at 3:16pm PDT

I’m crushed to hear the news of the passing of my teammate and friend Terrell Roberts. Prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.

— Jonathan Smith (@Coach_Smith) September 12, 2019

Terrell Roberts @Bengals Hadn’t heard from bro in so long . Then out the blue I get this message not knowing who it was giving me a shout out on Insta Story. Made my day conversing with em. He was so proud of his son! 13 year old Olineman. Man I hadn’t talk to bro in years pic.twitter.com/XwXSkd5rDt

— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) September 12, 2019

Man am tired of waking up everyday to bad news another one of my former teammates what’s shot and killed rest easy Terrell Roberts one of the strongest DBs to play the game rest easy my boy pic.twitter.com/uzcDLC07LF

— shaun smith (@autumnsjs90) September 12, 2019

The former Bengals player was a native of Berkeley, California, and was signed to Cincinnati's NFL team in 2003. He was later released from the roster in 2005.

Roberts played college football for Oregon State University.

We send our condolences to his family and friends during this time.

Cincinnati Bengals

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week