St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey is in critical condition after being shot while sitting in a car in the Miami area, police said.
Bailey, 25, was in the car with four others -- two of them minors -- near a Miami Gardens residence "when another vehicle arrived and opened fire" about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, police in that South Florida community said. Bailey and his car's driver, Antwan Reeves, were both shot.
"The victims drove themselves to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment," police said.
A report on NFL.com, citing "a source informed of the incident," said that Bailey was struck twice in the head. The story indicated he had non-life-threatening injuries.
The Rams issued a statement that did not detail what happened to the receiver, but did say someone with the team has spoken to him. The team said that Bailey is in critical but stable condition.
The Miami Gardens police gave the same condition for Bailey, adding that "Reeves was taken into surgery shortly upon arriving at the hospital."
Police later said that Reeves was recovering from surgery, while Bailey was still in surgery.
As of midday Wednesday, police hadn't talked to either man, Miami Gardens spokeswoman Petula Burks said.
Nor have authorities said who they think shot them. But Miami Gardens police did say they are looking for a light-colored, four-door sedan that may be a Buick Regal.
A third-round draft pick for the Rams in 2013, Bailey left West Virginia University with the school's second-highest number of receptions: 210.
He racked up 17 receptions while playing in all of his team's games during his rookie campaign, then had another 30 receptions (one for a touchdown) last year. Bailey had 12 catches -- including a 68-yarder for a touchdown -- in the first half of this season before the NFL suspended him for four games for violating its substance abuse policy.
The receiver is eligible to return to the Rams' active roster on December 7, one day after the team plays the Arizona Cardinals.
Football players across the country offered support and prayers for Bailey's recovery.
"Just woke up to the awful news," James Laurinaitis, a Rams linebacker, tweeted. "Everyone please pray for his family and loved ones and for a full recovery!"
Just woke up to the awful news about @iamSB3 . Everyone please pray for his family and loved ones and for a full recovery!
That sentiment was echoed by San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett, who wrote, "Prayers out to my dawg Stedman Bailey man."
CNN's Alina Machado reported from Miami, and CNN's Greg Botelho reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Tina Burnside, Holly Yan, Jason Hanna and Wayne Sterling contributed to this report.
As a mom, I know what it's like to work tirelessly, never expecting thanks or recognition.
That's why in this season of giving thanks, I wanted to reach out to you, Don, to say thank you for all that you do for this movement.
As I gather with loved ones this week, I can't help but think of the tens of thousands of Americans who will have an empty seat at their tables this holiday. It makes me grateful for supporters like you who are working to build a future for our children free from gun violence.
Thanks to your efforts, 2015 has been a year filled with victories that will save lives.
Town by town, state by state, supporters like you have made ending gun violence a national priority. This year, the myth of gun violence as a political third rail was put to rest in the Democratic presidential debate, where candidates fought over who has the lowest grade from the NRA.
This is also a season for reflecting on the work that still needs to be done in the year ahead. As we look to 2016, I'm glad you'll be standing with me to do whatever it takes to end senseless gun violence in our country.
Thank you again for all that you do.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Shannon Watts
Founder
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
One of our biggest challenges in the fight to change our gun laws and make our country safer is money.
Now, our organization has done very well on that front. Gabby and I spend quite a bit of time traveling our country talking to potential supporters, and over the past two and a half years, Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC has received over 500,000 individual contributions from people like you.
But it pales in comparison to the amount of money the gun lobby spends to influence legislators and elections. Just last week, we learned through tax filings that the Koch Brothers contributed almost $5m to the gun lobby in 2014. And that's just a fraction of what gun manufacturers chip in each year to defend their profits.
So we might very well be outspent in the next election. But if we continue to stand together, I'm certain we can spend enough to win and elect some more Champions for Common Sense who have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.
Make a $3 contribution to Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC today to help us counter the influence of the gun lobby in the coming elections.
Make no mistake about it, money in politics is a big part of the reason it sometimes seems like the voices of the 92% of Americans who support commonsense laws - like requiring a background check for every gun sale - can get drowned out in the debate in Washington.
But, together, we're building an organization capable of reversing that trend and help make sure that the voices of Americans calling for commonsense change are heard.
And because of that, it's only a matter of time before we see the change we're all fighting for.
And, Terrorism suspects can't board a plane, but they can buy a gun. There's been a lot of tough talk in Congress lately about keeping America safe. But here's one thing you won't hear discussed: America currently allows gun sales to suspected terrorists.
That's right, the NRA and their buddies in Congress have repeatedly blocked efforts to make it illegal for suspected terrorists to buy guns. They can't board a plane, but they can buy a gun.
Tell Congress to focus on what's really going to keep us safe: Closing the "terror gap" and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
The bottom line is this: It's perfectly legal under our lax gun laws for suspected terrorists to buy guns on our soil. Organizations like Al-Qaeda are well aware of these deadly loopholes, and even instruct would-be terrorists to exploit them in the U.S. [1]
It's common sense. If you're a suspected terrorist, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun.
Tell Congress to get out of the NRA's pocket and close this deadly loophole.
Thank you for speaking up.
"The victims drove themselves to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment," police said.
A report on NFL.com, citing "a source informed of the incident," said that Bailey was struck twice in the head. The story indicated he had non-life-threatening injuries.
The Rams issued a statement that did not detail what happened to the receiver, but did say someone with the team has spoken to him. The team said that Bailey is in critical but stable condition.
The Miami Gardens police gave the same condition for Bailey, adding that "Reeves was taken into surgery shortly upon arriving at the hospital."
Police later said that Reeves was recovering from surgery, while Bailey was still in surgery.
As of midday Wednesday, police hadn't talked to either man, Miami Gardens spokeswoman Petula Burks said.
Nor have authorities said who they think shot them. But Miami Gardens police did say they are looking for a light-colored, four-door sedan that may be a Buick Regal.
A third-round draft pick for the Rams in 2013, Bailey left West Virginia University with the school's second-highest number of receptions: 210.
He racked up 17 receptions while playing in all of his team's games during his rookie campaign, then had another 30 receptions (one for a touchdown) last year. Bailey had 12 catches -- including a 68-yarder for a touchdown -- in the first half of this season before the NFL suspended him for four games for violating its substance abuse policy.
The receiver is eligible to return to the Rams' active roster on December 7, one day after the team plays the Arizona Cardinals.
Football players across the country offered support and prayers for Bailey's recovery.
"Just woke up to the awful news," James Laurinaitis, a Rams linebacker, tweeted. "Everyone please pray for his family and loved ones and for a full recovery!"
Just woke up to the awful news about @iamSB3 . Everyone please pray for his family and loved ones and for a full recovery!
That sentiment was echoed by San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett, who wrote, "Prayers out to my dawg Stedman Bailey man."
Prayers out to my dawg Stedman Bailey man 
CNN's Alina Machado reported from Miami, and CNN's Greg Botelho reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Tina Burnside, Holly Yan, Jason Hanna and Wayne Sterling contributed to this report.
---------------------------------------------------
A Thank you from Shannon Watts:
That's why in this season of giving thanks, I wanted to reach out to you, Don, to say thank you for all that you do for this movement.
As I gather with loved ones this week, I can't help but think of the tens of thousands of Americans who will have an empty seat at their tables this holiday. It makes me grateful for supporters like you who are working to build a future for our children free from gun violence.
Thanks to your efforts, 2015 has been a year filled with victories that will save lives.
Town by town, state by state, supporters like you have made ending gun violence a national priority. This year, the myth of gun violence as a political third rail was put to rest in the Democratic presidential debate, where candidates fought over who has the lowest grade from the NRA.
This is also a season for reflecting on the work that still needs to be done in the year ahead. As we look to 2016, I'm glad you'll be standing with me to do whatever it takes to end senseless gun violence in our country.
Thank you again for all that you do.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Shannon Watts
Founder
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
---------------------------------------------------
The Koch Brothers' $5m contribution to the gun lobby
One of our biggest challenges in the fight to change our gun laws and make our country safer is money.
Now, our organization has done very well on that front. Gabby and I spend quite a bit of time traveling our country talking to potential supporters, and over the past two and a half years, Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC has received over 500,000 individual contributions from people like you.
But it pales in comparison to the amount of money the gun lobby spends to influence legislators and elections. Just last week, we learned through tax filings that the Koch Brothers contributed almost $5m to the gun lobby in 2014. And that's just a fraction of what gun manufacturers chip in each year to defend their profits.
So we might very well be outspent in the next election. But if we continue to stand together, I'm certain we can spend enough to win and elect some more Champions for Common Sense who have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.
Make a $3 contribution to Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC today to help us counter the influence of the gun lobby in the coming elections.
Make no mistake about it, money in politics is a big part of the reason it sometimes seems like the voices of the 92% of Americans who support commonsense laws - like requiring a background check for every gun sale - can get drowned out in the debate in Washington.
But, together, we're building an organization capable of reversing that trend and help make sure that the voices of Americans calling for commonsense change are heard.
And because of that, it's only a matter of time before we see the change we're all fighting for.
And, Terrorism suspects can't board a plane, but they can buy a gun. There's been a lot of tough talk in Congress lately about keeping America safe. But here's one thing you won't hear discussed: America currently allows gun sales to suspected terrorists.
That's right, the NRA and their buddies in Congress have repeatedly blocked efforts to make it illegal for suspected terrorists to buy guns. They can't board a plane, but they can buy a gun.
Tell Congress to focus on what's really going to keep us safe: Closing the "terror gap" and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
It's common sense. If you're a suspected terrorist, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun.
Tell Congress to get out of the NRA's pocket and close this deadly loophole.
Thank you for speaking up.
