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Timeline: Jasper Howard Stabbing
Click here for stories, pictures and video on the stabbing death of UConn cornerback Jasper Howard
Oct. 18: Jasper Howard was stabbed just after 12:30 a.m., hours after UConn's win over Louisville, during an altercation near the Student Union after a party in the building. Also stabbed during the melee was Brian Parker, a redshirt freshman who is academically ineligible this semester.
-Howard was airlifted by Life Star from Windham Community Memorial Hospital to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he died.
-UConn football coach Randy Edsall received a call about the incident at 1 a.m. and identified Howard's body at 4 a.m. at St. Francis. He broke the news to Howard's family and to the UConn players.
Oct. 19: Edsall spent much of Monday with Howard's parents, Joanglia Howard and Alex Moore.
Oct. 20: Police questioned — but have not arrested — a Bloomfield man about his possible role in the stabbing death, according to a Hartford attorney.
-University of Connecticut police ask the public to share any photos or videos taking during the Saturday night dance near the stabbing scene.
- See more stories »
Junior linebacker Kijuan Dabney, a close friend of Howard, spoke to the 1,000 or so mourners at the Student Union Mall Wednesday night. He thanked students, urged them to move on, then pulled a UConn letterman's jacket from a duffel bag and presented it to coach Randy Edsall.
The jacket, signed by members of the football team along with some students and faculty members, featured a picture of Edsall with his arm around Howard.
"He's been under a lot of pressure," Dabney said. "He lost a son."
The sound of tears was audible in the crowd. Edsall and Dabney embraced, the coach donned the jacket, told his players he loved them and asked everyone in the crowd to hug someone.
"Just turn around and hug somebody next to you and just tell somebody you love them every day," Edsall said, wiping away tears.
The crowd complied. It was that kind of gathering — people cried and prayed while speakers talked about Howard's laugh and zest for life.
UConn President Michael Hogan offered consoling words. Edsall said Howard's family was comforted by the outpouring of love and support from UConn.
And Dabney asked the gathering to take a lesson from Howard.
"We don't want you all walking around the campus, looking at the players and being sad," Dabney said. "Just be happy. Because Jazz taught us what he taught us, because Jazz was a very special person and he wouldn't want to see any of you all like this crying. Jazz liked to see people smiling."
The vigil took place on the opposite side of the Student Union from where Howard was fatally stabbed early Sunday morning. It began at 6 p.m. and lasted about 50 minutes before the gathering walked quietly to Mirror Lake for a moment of silent reflection.
The crowd included UConn athletes, non-athletes, faculty, staff members and some of Howard's closest friends.
An emotional Edsall talked for about 15 minutes. He called himself Jasper's coach and father away from home.
"As I stand here this evening, I can see that smile," Edsall said. "I can see his face and know that he thanks everybody for being out here this evening."