The DPS on Friday released hours of video documenting the search for Marshawn Kneeland, starting from the moment troopers attempted to stop his vehicle at approximately 10:30 p.m. on November 5, until the discovery of his body around 1:30 a.m. on November 6.
According to the footage and reports, the chase began when a trooper spotted Kneeland’s Dodge Charger traveling along the Dallas North Tollway, swerving at high speeds and changing lanes recklessly. He reached speeds said to exceed 145 mph, according to the incident report. The vehicle later crashed into another truck, after which Kneeland fled on foot into an office‐park area in Frisco, Texas.
The released DPS footage shows troopers and supporting law enforcement units spreading out across garages, wooded areas and utility tunnels—some deploying pepper‑ball discharge into an underground pipe and using K‑9 units. A drone also scanned for heat signatures. One officer is heard stating, “When I heard who it was, I was like nah,” upon realizing the suspect was a football player for the Dallas Cowboys.
Meanwhile, dispatch logs revealed that Kneeland had sent a group text to family members saying goodbye, and his girlfriend expressed concern to police that he was armed and intended to “end it all.” (People.com) The final footage shows law‑enforcement discovering Kneeland’s body in a portable toilet located between two office buildings at approximately 1:31 a.m. He died of an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound
The tragedy raised immediate questions about mental health, the pressures faced by young athletes, and the role of law enforcement in crisis events. Kneeland, only 24, had recently scored his first NFL touchdown and was seen as a rising talent.
At the same time, authorities continue to review the footage and the circumstances surrounding the chase and search are under investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Takeaway:
The video release provides a stark look at the final hours of Marshawn Kneeland’s life—one filled with speed, chaos, fear and ultimately, despair. While the footage does not in itself answer the deeper questions about how a young athlete ended up here, it underscores the critical intersections of mental health, crisis response, and law enforcement. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how rapidly a promising life can unravel.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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