Former Basketball Player Arrested in Connection with Mother's Murder
Eric Cobb, a 28-year-old former college basketball star, was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Monday in connection with the murder of his mother.
Cobb's mother, 51-year-old Erika Winford, was found deceased in the backyard of her Durkeeville home, wrapped in blankets and towels. Police determined she had been shot and pronounced her dead at the scene.
Cobb was taken in for questioning as he attempted to leave the home. He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Duval County Jail. He is facing a second-degree murder charge.
Cobb played college basketball for the University of Connecticut and the University of South Carolina. He entered the NBA draft in 2019 but went undrafted.
In 2016, while playing for the University of South Carolina, Cobb and a teammate were arrested for using a BB gun to shoot at a car with a man inside. No one was injured, but the car was damaged. The pair were charged with property damage and later dismissed from the team.
Cobb was also dismissed from the University of Connecticut team in 2018 due to "conduct deemed detrimental to the team." However, the team reinstated him a month later.
Cobb's first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday morning. The State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida has been contacted for more information.
10 Comments
KittyKat
“I’m glad the police acted quickly. This kind of behavior has no place in society.”
Noir Black
“This isn’t just a bad decision—it’s a monstrous act that betrays everything we stand for.”
Katchuka
“If he truly shot his own mother, he deserves nothing less than severe punishment.”
Loubianka
“Let’s not let our outrage cloud our judgment. We owe it to all involved to wait for the truth.”
KittyKat
“Bad news like this tempts us to act on impulse. I hope the authorities take the time to get all the details right.”
Coccinella
“Talent on the court means nothing when your actions off it bring so much shame.”
Donatello
“We have to respect the legal process. One arrest isn’t the same as a verdict.”
ZmeeLove
“Someone who commits murder should be behind bars for a long, long time.”
Muchacho
“In moments like these, a measured, fact-based approach is our best hope for justice.”
Bella Ciao
“I never imagined an athlete would be capable of such cruelty. It’s a stark reminder of what happens when people lose their moral compass.”