Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair shot dead

The death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair this weekend was a homicide, Nashville police said Sunday, adding it could be days before they will be able to classify the death of a woman found in the same condominium with a pistol underneath her body.

McNair was shot four times -- twice in the chest and twice in the head, according to police. Sahel Kazemi, 20, had a single gunshot wound to the side of her head. Police said they have been told that McNair, who was married, was dating Kazemi.

McNair had a permit to carry a handgun in Tennessee, and he was arrested once before with a 9mm weapon although charges in the case were dropped. Police said they had not yet determined who owned the gun found at the scene.

Investigators weren't looking for a suspect but were questioning friends of the couple as well as Kazemi's ex-boyfriend. They were also waiting for results of drug and other laboratory tests before deciding whether McNair was killed in a lovers' quarrel.

Police would not say whether they believe it was a murder-suicide but signaled that they were leaning strongly in that direction.

Asked at a news conference Sunday afternoon whether the person who killed McNair could be loose in Nashville, police spokesman Don Aaron said: "Based on the evidence at the scene and based on what we know from witnesses thus far, you can lean certain ways in the investigation.

"But you can't be close-minded in the investigation."

The 36-year-old McNair, who was married with four sons, played through serious injuries and pain to win. He played 13 seasons in the NFL and led the Tennessee Titans to their only Super Bowl in the 1999 season. He frequently took part in charity work for both the Titans and later the Baltimore Ravens after a 2006 trade. He retired in April 2008.