Albuquerque Gladiators player killed in Nov. 7 shooting

Martesse Patterson, 26, was shot and killed in Albuquerque on Nov. 7, according to police. The Albuquerque Police Department identified Patterson, a former college football player who played for the Duke City Gladiators, as the victim of the early-morning shooting.

Police say Patterson was shot outside of a building just before 1 a.m. Another person was taken to the hospital. The source states there is no information yet on whether a suspect has been identified.

Patterson played college football at Purdue and Tuskegee before joining the Gladiators this past spring. Matt Avila, the Gladiators’ director of public affairs, said his friendship with Patterson started at the airport.

“I still remember to this day, picking him up from the airport,” said Avila, director of Public Affairs for the Gladiators. “He was just a good young man, but what he gave to the team and the community was big leadership. He was a phenomenal player. Off the field, he was another family member.”

Avila described the 6’5″ offensive lineman as a “big teddy bear.” The Gladiators say Patterson was a free agent following the season and had planned to stay in Albuquerque.

“We were very shocked. We didn’t know who to contact at first,” said Avila, continuing to add they were afraid to reach out to Patterson’s mom if the rumors they heard turned out not to be true.

When Patterson’s death was confirmed, Avila said his mother called to let the team know.

“He embedded himself into the community right away because we were doing a lot of charity events and he was big on it, especially bullying rallies,” said Avila. “He was big on anti-bullying.”

The Gladiators say they have been in touch with Patterson’s family as memorial arrangements are made. Avila said the services will likely happen in early December.

“Martesse was one of the boys who chose to stay in Albuquerque. We had intentions of bringing him back to play with the Gladiators and he chose to stay here, chose to live here,” said Avila. “His mom would say he’s a big boy, but he was her baby boy.”

The team says it hopes to work with APD on a future gun buyback program to raise awareness, offering season tickets in honor of Patterson’s memory.