Death at The U: Who killed Bryan Pata? Posted Jan 12, 2021 Bryan Pata was 22 when someone killed him - one medium-caliber shot to the left side of his head, execution-style - in the parking lot of his apartment complex just after football practice on Nov. 7, 2006. The Miami Hurricanes' defensive tackle, who had grown up in the grip of poverty, was a few months away from being selected in the NFL draft. (ESPN.com)