Aaron Hernandez has some explaining to do.
The New England Patriots tight end has not been ruled out as a suspect in a murder investigation North Attleboro, Mass., and isn’t cooperating with investigators, a law enforcement source told WBZ-TV in Boston. And TMZ is reporting that Hernandez was sued for allegedly shooting a man in the face — just five days before cops searched his house in this current, unrelated incident.
Detectives from the state police were at Hernandez’s home Wednesday morning and there was no answer at the door. Hernandez and a woman left the house earlier and had no comment on the probe.
Hernandez was initially interviewed Tuesday after a jogger found the body of a 27-year-old Boston man less than a mile from Hernandez’s home, Sports Illustrated first reported. The victim, now identified as Odin Lloyd has been described as an “associate” of Hernandez, sources told ABC News.
Cops focused on Hernandez when they found a rented Chevrolet Suburban with Rhode Island plates – which was tied to his name – near the scene, a source told SI.
A Patriots rep declined to comment to The Post on Tuesday, but a team source said they did not believe Hernandez, 23, had any role in the homicide.
Meanwhile, a man named Alexander S. Bradley is suing Hernandez for allegedly shooting him in the face after an argument at Miami area strip club in February.
Bradley claimed in the lawsuit that after leaving Tootsie’s Cabaret he and Hernandez got into a car headed toward Palm Beach and Hernandez aimed a gun at his face. The gun went off and the bullet struck Bradley’s face, the suit alleged. Bradley claimed he suffered major injuries — including the loss of his right eye.
Bradley was demanding more than $100,000, but the lawsuit was dismissed four days after it was filed. His lawyers told TMZ that it was just a paperwork issue and they plan on re-filing as soon as Wednesday.
Hernandez, one of the premier tight ends in the NFL, made 51 receptions last year with five touchdowns last season while battling injuries.