JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man who played college basketball at one of the top programs in the country was arrested and accused of murdering his mother, who was found covered with a blanket Monday morning, in the backyard of a home near Durkeeville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, police said they arrested Eric Cobb, 28, in connection with the shooting death of his mother, Erika Winford, 51.

According to JSO, Winford was found around 8:30 a.m. in the backyard of a home on 15th Street West by one of her friends since she had been unable to reach her through the phone.

Winford was found wrapped in a blanket and towels, police said.

The investigation revealed that around 8 p.m. on Sunday, someone said they heard someone screaming “He’s going to kill me!” Another witness told police that they heard multiple shots fired, JSO said.

Police said they detained Cobb as he attempted to leave the home. Following an interview, detectives arrested him.

JSO said Cobb is a 6-foot-9 former college basketball standout.

According to his recruiting profile, Cobb played at Potter’s House Christian Academy in Jacksonville. He spent his senior year at St. Francis Academy in Baltimore where he was ranked as the 21st power forward in the country and a four-star prospect by ESPN.com. He was recruited by multiple schools including the University of South Carolina, where he initially committed, along with Kansas State and VCU.

After leaving South Carolina, he played at Chipola College in Marianna, Fla. before transferring to UConn.

Cobb played three seasons for UConn from 2015 until 2019. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

According to his UConn bio, he has an older sister and younger brother.

Cobb is now in custody at the Duval County jail charged with second-degree murder.

“Your JSO will work closely with the State Attorney’s Office to seek justice for Ms. Winford’s family in the wake of this tragic crime,” JSO wrote.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the non-emergency number at 904-630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.