Former Ram Coy Bacon Shot as He Answers Door

Former NFL defensive end Coy Bacon was critically wounded by a gunshot when he answered a knock at the door of his suburban Washington apartment early today, police said.

Bacon, 42, who played for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers, suffered a single bullet wound to his upper stomach at about 12:15 a.m., Montgomery County police said.

Police established no motive and had no suspects in the shooting. The incident occurred two weeks after police charged Bacon with cocaine possession.

Bacon’s injury was not considered life-threatening, a spokeswoman for the Washington Hospital Center said. He was listed in critical condition after undergoing at least three hours of surgery.

“He was alone in the apartment when he answered a knock at the door,” county police spokeswoman Cathie Sterling said. “One shot was fired when he opened the door.”

The assailant fled and Bacon staggered to a neighboring apartment for help, Sterling said.

Bacon and a woman friend, Velma Fowler, were arrested July 30 and charged with possession of cocaine after a gram of the drug was found in their car. Bacon was released on his own recognizance.