Ex-US Footballer Charged In 'Random' Killing

A former US college football player has been charged with killing a jogger in an apparent random act of rage, authorities say.

Thomas Johnson, 21, admitted to attacking the man along a Dallas jogging route and killing him with a "large-edged weapon", police said.

"It appears Mr Johnson picked this victim at random," Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin told the Dallas Morning News.

"Absolutely random. He just attacked him. ... It's just very unusual. It's quite shocking."

The former Texas A&M University wide receiver called 911 to report the killing after asking a stranger if he could use their mobile phone, court documents said.

The victim, who police said was not carrying identification, later died in hospital.

Johnson was arrested on Monday without incident and is being held in Dallas County Jail in lieu of $500,000 (£328,000) bail.

Johnson played only part of one season at Texas A&M in 2012 before abruptly leaving the football programme without warning.

He was not heard from for three days until he showed up at his family's Dallas home.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Morning News, Johnson's aunt told police he "had been causing problems in the family for a long period of time".