Nate Fox shot dead

Nate Fox (206 cm, Maine’00) was shot dead earlier this week in Bloomingdale, Illinois (40 km west of Chicago). Police received a 911 call and were sent to the 200 block of Tamarack Lane in Bloomingdale about 21:35 in the evening Monday, and found Nate Fox shot, according to a police news release. Fox was taken to Adventist Glen Oaks Medical Center in Glendale Heights, where he later was pronounced dead.

Fox, whose given name was Nathaniel, was a graduate of Plainfield High School. He received a basketball scholarship to Boston College but later transferred to the University of Maine, where he also played. After graduating from college, Nate Fox played professional basketball overseas from 2000 to 2012. He played in Portugal, Spain, Germany, Israel, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Estonia. Nate Fox retired at the end of the 2011-2012 season.

Before he was shot, Nate Fox was driving a maroon 2013 Jaguar XJ with Illinois license plate R554813, according to police. Bloomingdale Police Chief Frank Giammarese said investigators learned he’d been fatally shot as he was on his way home from work. Police are still trying to find out “what transpired,’’ and what was the motive for Fox’s murder, Giammarese said.

A female lives with him but no children, the police chief said, adding that Fox’s car was found at the scene.  Giammarese declined to say if the Jaguar was damaged, or if Fox was robbed, or if shell casings were found.

“We did find evidence at the scene, which is being evaluated,’’ the Giammarese said. “We’re not sure if this was a random act or if something led to this or if he was targeted,’’ said Giammarese, adding he does not feel the public is in any danger. “We’re trying to find the person or persons who did this.’’

“I do not think people are randomly out there shooting people,’’ Giammarese said. The chief said he’s met with Fox’s family and loved ones who were going through a “horrible,” and “heart-wrenching’’ time after losing him, especially during the holidays.