News

Sources: Hernandez seen walking into home within minutes of neighbors hearing gunshots

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Patriots' TE Aaron Hernandez dodged reporters' questions as he left Gillette Stadium Thursday while investigators continued to look for clues in the death of one of his 27-year-old associates who was found less than a mile from the star tight end's North Attleboro home.

A law enforcement source told FOX 25 Wednesday night Hernandez appears to be directly tied to the homicide of Odin Lloyd; however, at this point there have been no arrests in the case, but new information gathered Thursday paints a clearer picture as to why Hernandez is the focus of the investigation.

FOX 25's Bob Ward's sources have confirmed that there is video evidence of Hernandez and two other men wearing hooded sweatshirts walking into Hernandez's home within minutes of neighbors hearing gunshots.

Neighbors say they heard the gunshots between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Monday morning, but did not report it to police right away.

Just about an hour before Hernandez was caught on video walking into his home, Hernandez was seen at Lloyd's home in Dorchester.

FOX 25 also confirmed that the hard drive to Hernandez's home video surveillance system was heavily damaged when state police investigators went to his house.

Investigators want to talk to Hernandez in detail about what happened early Monday morning, but it is not clear just how forthcoming Hernandez has been, FOX 25's Bob Ward said.

Hernandez, Lloyd, and two other men were reportedly at a bar in Boston the night of the homicide, and at some point, the four men left together in a car driven by Hernandez which was confirmed by a text Lloyd sent another friend, a source said.

On Thursday Hernandez left his home in a white Audi SUV and drove to Gillette Stadium. The Boston Herald reported that Hernandez attempted to work out at the stadium but was promptly kicked out by staff.

From there he drove to a gas station and then to the Prudential Center in Boston, where his attorney's office is located. He was not seen leaving the attorney's office and it did not appear that he had returned home Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, state troopers continued to search the area near Hernandez's home within the Westwood Estates development, as well as where the body was found.

Among other items, police say they are searching for a silver mirror cover which is believed to have been broken off a vehicle and may be visible along a route of travel between Dorchester and North Attleboro.

The scene at Hernandez's home has been active since Tuesday when authorities spent three hours inside the football player's home executing a search warrant and came out carrying a large box.

Hernandez was initially linked to the case after an Enterprise rental car rented in Hernandez's name emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation.

Hernandez, a University of Florida Graduate and native of Bristol, Conn., was drafted by the Patriots in 2010. He had five touchdowns for the Pats during the 2012 season.

If you have any information, please contact North Attleboro Police at (508) 695-1212 or Massachusetts State Police tip line at 1-866-SOLVE-07 (765-8307).