Less than a day after celebrating good news with the arrival of a new Defensive Coordinator, the Auburn Tigers are mourning a horrible loss.
Freshman Tight End Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed at an apartment complex close to the Auburn Campus very early Sunday morning.
According to reports, the police were called to the scene at The Tiger Lodge apartments just before 12:30 a.m and found Mitchell who had been shot multiple times.
Rescue workers got him to a nearby hospital quickly, but he passed away in the emergency room.
Mitchell was a highly rated prospect who redshirted for the 2014 football season. He came to Auburn from nearby Opelika High School.
Police are investigating the shooting as a homicide and are still looking for a suspect in the incident.
Auburn's Athletic Director Jay Jacobs offered condolences: "The Auburn Family is grieving the loss of a teammate and friend Jakell Mitchell. We are praying for his family."
The Tiger Lodge Apartments were renamed after the shooting a few years back when another disagreement at the then-University Heights complex resulted in the death of three men- including former Auburn players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips. Desmonte Leonard was convicted of capital murder, attempted murder and assault in two months ago and will be sentenced January 7.
Mitchell was expected to compete for playing time at H-Back with the graduations of CJ Uzomah and Brandon Fulse.
Al.com caught up with Mitchell during his recruitment and asked what his expectations were as he was set for The Plains.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Auburn detective section at 334-501-3140. Anonymous tips can be made to the Auburn Police Department tip line at 334-246-1391.
If you have been following the news today, Canada took a major blow with someone who wanted to make a statement by opening fire on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. One reservist was killed and a shooter was as well.
A lockdown was just lifted on the Hill. The Prime Minister has spoken words of encouragement.
Come tomorrow, the world up north will be very different.
Hockey fans are united in their love for the sport and respecting your competition.
Tonight in Pittsburgh before the Pens-Flyers game, the Pittsburgh fans did something really cool...
Desmonte Leonard was found guilty in the capital murders three people- two of them former Auburn University football players. DeMario Pitts, along with Lowndes High grad Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips were shot and killed at an Auburn, Alabama apartment complex in an incident in June 2012. Three others were injured in the shootings.
Lee County (AL) jurors found Leonard guilty on all but one of the six charges stemming from the shooting:
2nd degree assault for the shooting of Eric Mack
2nd degree assault for the shooting of Xavier Moss
1st degree assault for the shooting of John Robertson
The attempted murder of DeAngelo Benton
Capital murder for "killing two or more people in the same act"- Christian and Phillips
Leonard was found not guilty for attempted murder.
For the Taylor recap of the case that brought Leonard to trial:
During the trial, witness testimony indicated that prior to the shooting, Leonard had gotten involved in an altercation with former Auburn football player DeAngelo Benton, who instigated the quarrel.
Leonard’s attorneys contended Leonard feared for his life and fired the gun in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued Leonard was never in real danger and exhibited goal-oriented behavior during the shooting.
Without giving much detail, Leonard said she and Leonard’s other attorneys had a plan for how to present evidence to the jury to not give him the death penalty.
Here's Sharonda Woods, a sister of one of those who were murdered, discussing the verdict after everyone exited the courthouse WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather
Wednesday, a jury begins the process of deciding the death penalty or life in prison without parole for Leonard.
Orr Academy's Tyquone Greer was shot nine days ago at a party...
He missed the team's sectional final, and could only play a few minutes in the super-sectional final.
But those minutes he played were huge as he did this...
“If we were going to lose, I wanted to be out there on the court with my teammates,”the senior said, according to High School Cube.“We’ve been through a lot together over four years. If it was going to be somebody’s fault, I would rather it have been mine. That’s why I kept telling him to put me in the game.”
This will be Orr's second straight trip to the Class 3A Final Four in Peoria.
Day Four of the Oscar Pistorius Trial centered around the continued cross-examination of neighbor Charl Johnson and the discussion of just how many gunshots he heard and from what kind of gun. His testimony had to stop yesterday after he asked to retrieve his notes from the shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp last Valentine's Day.
Pistorius' lead defense attorney, Barry Roux, asked Johnson if he heard screaming and gunshots- Johnson owns a 9mm pistol and says he recognized the sound of the gunfire.
A radiologist was called to the stand later in the day and went through the scene when he came upon it after Steenkamp was shot. Johan Stipp said in his testimony that he recalls Pistorius admitting he shot Steenkamp.
It's the first time in open court that the immediate aftermath of the shooting has been discussed as well where Stipp described the scene as Pistorius tried to stop Steenkamp from bleeding out and prayed over her body in the front of their house.
A former associate of Aaron Hernandez is now being held on $1 million cash bond after the shoot out at the Vevo nightclub in Hartford over the weekend..
Alexander Bradley, allegedly, got into a fight with another person over money. Bradley was shot three times in the thigh n the exchange of gunfire that (as eyewitnesses say) shot up the front of the club...
Bradley's attorneys, including Robert Pickering, said in court that he was "targeted" by a stranger. He was arraigned on charges that varied from criminal use of a firearm to stealing a firearm.
Investigators don't know who shot Bradley and can't confirm if this incident was related to the Hernandez case and investigation...
You may remember the name Alexander Bradley in our coverage of the Aaron Hernandez investigation(s)...
He was the gentleman who claimed that Hernandez had him sit as a passenger in a car Hernandez was driving when Bradley claimed the former Patriots tight end shot him- eventually causing him to lose the sight in his right eye...
Bradley is suing Hernandez because of the incident last February...
Bradley was brought into the Hartford Police Department Monday to be booked after an overnight shooting outside the Vevo bar in Hartford. HPD is, basically, saying that Bradley and the others who were involved in the fight shot up the front of the bar. Police believe that the fight started inside, went outside, and Bradley was shot multiple times.
Investigators are saying he then went to his car, got a firearm, and returned fire...
Monday evening, the thoughts now are that Bradley and the person who shot him were arguing over money...
The press conference also revealed that the gun Bradley used was one of 111 guns that had been stolen out of a collection...
It is expected HPD is going to arraign Bradley on reckless endangerment and other gun-related charges including stealing a firearm and unlawful use and possession of a firearm...
SCSU junior football player Brandon Robinson was shot to death Friday afternoon outside an Orangeburg, South Carolina apartment complex after arguing with another man identified as 19-year-old Justin Bernard Singleton. Singleton was charged with murder and arrested early Saturday at an Orangeburg apartment complex.
Singleton was allegedly arguing with Robinson and "pulled out a gun and fired at Robinson, hitting him in the neck area," according to an arrest warrant filed by a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigator.
Authorities initially said they were looking for three other suspects, but have declined to elaborate after that initial report as to whether or not they still are after the Singleton arrest.
Robinson was an engineering major at the school while Singleton majors in business.
Here's the latest from Orangeburg and South Carolina State...
Here's Singleton's initial appearance in court after his arrest... ((HT: WIS-TV)) wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |"The SC State University family is devastated by the tragic loss of Brandon," said President Thomas J. Elzey in a statement. "Our hearts are heavy with grief and sorrow by the senseless act of violence, which took too soon a beloved member of our university family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon's family and friends during this most difficult time in their lives. On behalf of SC State University, I extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to them."
Charlotte police officer Randall Kerrick fired his gun 12 times at an unarmed Jonathan Ferrell- hitting him 10 times. Ferrell is a former Florida A&M football player who was shot and killed by Kerrick while Kerrick was seeking help after a car accident Saturday.
The investigation by the Charlotte PD showed Kerrick did not have "a lawful right to discharge his weapon during this encounter."
As police are reconstructing what they think happened that led up to the shooting, current investigations yield that police think Ferrell had wrecked his car, and then was knocking on a house near the crash to try and get help. The woman in the home called police to report she thought a man was trying to break in to her home.
Police encountered Ferrell about a block away. An officer shot and killed him, and police said Ferrell was even running towards the officers at the scene at the time that the weapon was discharged. Kerrick was then charged with voluntary manslaughter, and he made bail late Saturday night.
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reiterates that this is a very unfortunate incident and it has devastated a family as well as caused a great deal of sadness and anxiety in our organization," CMPD spokeswoman Jessica Wallin said in a statement.
Here's the first report...
Ferrell's family spoke today in Charlotte and gave their testimonial...
((HT: CharlotteObserver.com))
Family attorney, Christopher Chestnut, told the assembled media at the presser:
"We’re planning to get answers,” he said. “If that requires a lawsuit, then we will.”From the Charlotte Observer article from Wootson and Lyttle:Police released an incident report Monday that shows that after the shooting, Kerrick said he had been assaulted. The report said he received minor injuries, but refused medical attention. It does not indicate who assaulted him.
But many questions remain, including the positions of Ferrell and the officers, whether the officers shouted commands and a detailed timeline of events. Police also have explained why the Taser was unsuccessful.
Police have not released the 911 recording or any video from the scene.
The associate of Aaron Hernandez identified as "Chicago," John Alcorn, appeared in front of a Boston grand jury that was discussing the double murder that Hernandez is linked to from 2012. But there is no proof on whether or not Alcorn actually testified.
Safiro Furtado and Daniel Abreu were killed in a drive-by shooting that has been linked to Hernandez, and Alcorn had been previously identified by Hernandez's cousin during questioning as having been driven by her on several occasions. Alcorn left his firearm in the car and told Hernandez's cousin that she was to keep it there for safe keeping so he didn't have to take it to work.
Alcorn's attorney, Matthew Dyer, told MyFoxBoston that his client was linked to a gun from the Furtado-Abreu shooting.
There are now "Wanted" posters up as Massachusetts State Police are looking for Ernest Wallace, 41, who is wanted for accessory after the fact of the murder of 27-year-old semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Wallace is considered to be armed and dangerous and, according to SB Nation's James Dator, has outstanding felony warrants in Massachusetts. Dator also lists Wallace as 44 years of age.
The poster says Wallace is considered armed and dangerous and could be found in as many as five states. He was last seen driving a silver or gray Chrysler 300 with R.I. license number 451-375. This was the vehicle police have been looking for since the morning after the murder.
Wallace is believed to be a Bristol, Connecticut resident.
Police arrested Carlos Ortiz late Wednesday. Ortiz is seen in video from the Hernandez home carrying a weapon a few hours after the murder of Lloyd. Ortiz is set to be arraigned in Attleboro (MA) District Court charged with one court of carrying firearm without a license.
Boston police are now involved in the investigation seeing if there are any links to a double homicide in July 2012. Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado were murdered in what was, by all accounts, a drive-by shooting on a Boston street after a confrontation in a night club. The shooters were linked to a car with a Rhode Island license plate. Adam Schefter relays the information that Hernandez was responsible for renting the red SUV involved in the shooting...
The killings were a mystery until the murder of Lloyd, according to two law enforcement sources briefed on the Boston murders. Hernandez, according to Bristol prosecutors, hatched a plan to kill Lloyd after he was seen talking with some people he had “troubles with,” at a Boston nightclub on June 14, and later summoned two allies with a text saying “you can’t trust anyone.’’
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley declined to comment on specifics of the investigation, but he said that the case, once cold, has become more “robust” recently.
1415 UPDATE: Ortiz has been extradited to Massachusetts and it appears that North Attleboro (MA) police and the Bristol County (MA) district attorney's office said a 2012 Chrysler 300 they were looking for had been found. But it is not clear as to whether Ernest Wallace is now in custody.
1430 UPDATE: He is in custody... the Mass state Police arrested Wallace in Miramar, Florida
As of this morning, investigators are going through piles of dirt trying to find any evidence they can pertaining to the death of semi-pro linebacker Odin Lloyd.
News choppers overhead showed investigators using metal detectors and digging through the landfill near Aaron Hernandez's home. As of 11AM, according to WCVB-TV Massachusetts State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said no arrest in imminent in the case.
Hernandez attorney Michael Fee acknowledged reports to WCVB about the state police searching his client's home, but would not offer further comment.
Shortly before 11:30 this morning however, Hernandez arrived at Foxboro to, presumably, talk to front office personnel looking to hear his side of the story as it is at present. But the story doesn't look good, however he couches it...
Hearing via law enforcement source that Aaron Hernandez will be arrested in connection with the North Attleborough murder
Tom Curran was on the "Dan Patrick Show" to discuss just how deep the doo-doo is right now...
1230 UPDATE: Hernandez has left Foxboro and was even approached while he was getting gas after he left the Patriots stadium. He ended up at his lawyers offices in downtown Boston.
1500 UPDATE: The scene was a little surreal as news choppers kept an eye on Hernandez as he made his way to Foxboro and, then, to his lawyer's offices...
He got tracked down when he was fueling up...
((HT: WHDH-TV)) WHDH-TV 7News Boston
In addition to everything happening in and around the shooting victim near his home, Hernandez is now facing a lawsuit in Florida in connection with an alleged shooting last February.
According to the lawsuit, Hernandez and another gentleman, Alexander Bradley, went to a strip club in Miami back in February. The two allegedly got into an argument. Bradley claims in his lawsuit that they left with two other men and while they were in the car, Hernandez allegedly fired a gun in the direction of Bradley, striking him in the face.
Bradley claims he suffered significant injuries- including the loss of vision in an eye.
Bradley's attorney, David Jaroslawicz, tells WCVB he initially filed the lawsuit on June 13, but said the lawsuit was voluntarily withdrawn because it contained a factual error.
“Thereafter plaintiff and defendant and two other persons were driving from Miami to Palm Beach, Fla.,’’ Bradley’s attorneys wrote in the suit. “Defendant had in his possession a gun. The gun discharged. The defendant caused the gun to go off while aiming it at the plaintiff.’’
The lawsuit, filed June 13, said that Hernandez does not have a license to carry a firearm.
According to the lawsuit, Bradley lost his right eye and has undergone multiple surgeries to repair his face. He is also now disfigured, has screws in his face to speed healing, has trouble eating, has become “substantially disabled” and will need medical care for the rest of his life, the lawsuit said.
Four days after it was filed, Bradley’s attorneys asked that it be dismissed voluntarily, but in a way that still leaves them the opportunity to initiate a new round of litigation against the NFL player, according to court records.
Meanwhile, back at his million dollar home...
Hernandez is still listed as a person of interest and the identity of the victim in the investigation has been disclosed. A 27-year-old semi-pro football player, Odin Lloyd, who has been listed as a possible "associate" of Hernandez.
2300 UPDATE: MyFoxBoston's Ted Daniel and Maria Stephanos have sources that may have blown the lid off the murder investigation around Odin Lloyd... and the idea that Hernandez may be closely involved somehow...
LAW SOURCE: Forensic evidence places vehicle "driven by" Aaron Hernandez at "crime scene". Don't know what scene that is.
LAW SOURCE: 4 men together in vehicle. Only 3 return to Aaron Hernandez's home. Odin Lloyd NOT one of them. #fox25
2 LAW SOURCES: Homicide victim Odin Lloyd sent text to a friend that included a reference to Aaron Hernandez.
LAW SOURCE: Aaron Hernandez was driver of a vehicle Odin Lloyd and 2 others in. Lloyd found dead one mile from Hernandez home.
The Bristol County (MA) District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Wednesday night that an autopsy was performed at the office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Lloyd's death was determined to be a homicide and it appears that he was shot.
The Boston law firm of Ropes & Gray is now representing Hernandez. Neither the firm nor Hernandez is going to say anything publicly until the investigation is over... the HQ knows you're shocked...
Police are also looking for a silver mirror cover that may have broken off a vehicle that they are still searching for in the investigation.
Disturbing news out of South Africa as world-class sprinter Oscar Pistorius has shot and killed his girlfriend. Pistorius was asleep in his home and, early reports relay that he may have thought his girlfriend was an intruder.
She was shot twice and there is also thought that she was planning a Valentine's Day surprise...
Here's the breaking story from Sky Sports
More when we know more...
UPDATE: Pistorius has been charged with murder as Reeva Steenkamp was shot four times. He will appear in court later Thursday on the charge of murder and court documents show there had "previously been incidents at the home of Mr. Oscar Pistorius."
Everyone knows (now) Alabama-signee Reuben Foster's story... the tattoo (which he's going to either get removed or changed), and the shooting involving him and his mother by his estranged father when he was 18-months old.
Reuben's father, Daniel, had escaped from an Alabama jail and was living under the name of Jefferson McClendon. McClendon was found living in a south Florida trailer park and working in construction.
Marshals offices had discovered new information and tracked down Danny Foster-Jefferson McClendon for the arrest. McClendon was supposed to serve 30 years for his crime, and will be extradited to determine how the sentence will be resumed.
Admittedly, the HQ is a bit squeamish when doing stories like this...
But in the advancing of the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide from the weekend, the 911 tapes have been released from the time that Kasandra Perkins' mother called authorities to alert them of the situation...
Here's the story...
After the shooting at the house, Belcher went to Chiefs headquarters where he would take his own life in front of his head coach and General Manager...
Police on scene of first shooting (photo courtesy: KCTV)
KANSAS CITY -- According to the Kansas City Star and KCTV, police are investing a double fatal shooting that involves a Kansas City Chiefs player and his girlfriend.
Police reports say the first shooting happened around 8am, where officers say the player shot and killed his girlfriend in a house near 54th Street and Chrysler Avenue. Moments later, the player drove himself to the Chiefs' practice facility where officers say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A police spokesman said coaches arrived at the practice facility before the second shooting and talked with the player briefly before he committed suicide.
The player's name has yet to be released, and the identity of the girlfriend is being held until notification of next of kin.
Officials believe the Chiefs' front office will release a statement shortly in reference to this shooting. Police locked down Arrowhead Stadium and surrounding buildings for about an hour until they could determine what actually happened and that everyone in the area was safe.
Stay tuned to OSG Sports for more on this developing story.
1100 UPDATE: According to the "Save Our Chiefs" Facebook page, According to the Police Chief in KC, the player shot himself in front of "a couple coaches" and police. The Chiefs, Panthers and NFL are in discussions regarding the game the tomorrow. A decision will be made today regarding game status.
Here's the statement from the Chiefs: "We can confirm that there was an incident at Arrowhead earlier this morning. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”
KCPD Officer Darin Snapp confirms GM Scott Pioli and Coach Romeo Crennel were outside team facility at the time Chiefs player killed himself
KCPD say the player thanked both men before taking his life, and that Pioli and Crennel did not feel threatened. KCPD not revealing identity
of the player yet to allow time for family notification but team sources say it was LB Jovan Belcher, as reported.
Here's early reports and interviews from our friends at KCTV KCTV5
1600: KMBC-TV is reporting the name of the deceased- 22 year-old Kasandra Perkins-
KMBC-TV correspondent Diane Cho is reporting that Perkins and Belcher got into an argument because Perkins apparently got home late from a concert Friday night in Kansas City.
This source is telling Rauch that Belcher's relationship with Perkins was one of two people who were "young and immature." The fight over the concert Perkins attended was only part of the dynamic and not the last straw. Belcher, allegedly, was balancing medication, alcohol, and occasional short-term memory loss from his playing time.
The November 18th game the Chiefs played against Cincinnati as a game that Belcher took direct contact to the head on more than one occasion- according to Rauch's source. Coaches held Belcher out of most of the Broncos game the following weekend since he was more of a run-stopper playing against a passing offense.
But, now we may have more of an idea on the "why." And if it is accurate, then the story compounded is even more sad.
Hector "Macho" Camacho died at the age of 50 after it was decided by his family to take him off life support. Camacho had also apparently suffered a second heart attack that he was not able to recover from while he was on machines...
Because his family waited too long, in the eyes of doctors, on their decision of donating his organs that is now an impossibility and the body is now headed to pathology for diagnosis.
Here's the update on the idea that there is video of the alleged shooter, but police are no closer in getting the suspect...
The wife of former boxer Ernest Mateen (now know as Ernest Mahir Abdul-Mateen) is not expected to be charged in his death according to local police...
Kia Jeffries acted in self-defense in the shooting of Mateen at an extended stay motel almost a week ago, according to a police investigation. Police were called to the hotel, found Jeffries injured, and also found Mateen shot and bleeding in a hallway.
Jeffries admitted to police that she had shot Mateen. Both were transported to hospital where he died from his injuries.
“They determined that Abdul-Mateen used a handgun to hit Jeffries repeatedly, until he was exhausted,” Gwinnett Police Department Corporal Jake Smith said. “At that point, Jeffries managed to turn the gun on Abdul-Mateen and pull the trigger.”
Also from Stevens, at the time of the shooting Mateen had outstanding warrants from previous incidents involving Jeffries' apparent false imprisonment and battery in another city.
Here's Mateen in action against James Toney during his "Ernest Mateen" days...
Former Chicago Public Schools basketball star Michael Haynes was shot multiple times and died from his injuries as he tried to break up a fight over a necklace...
"He was an innocent victim, very loved by everybody," Haynes' cousin, Kandice Blouin told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. "He was our meal ticket. He was going to heal this hood and they took his life."
Haynes, a 6-foot-7 forward, played for Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, last season.
"The Iona family is devastated with the news on Michael's passing," said head coach Tim Cluess. "His passion, energy and excitement for his opportunity this year makes this tragedy even more upsetting. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Haynes' uncle, Robert Kimbrough, told FoxChicago that he hopes the police find the shooter before the family and friends do. Kimbrough also said that his nephew was only standing up for his friend who couldn't stand up for himself.
The HQ knows that kind of philosophy is dangerous, but not entirely uncommon for some neighborhoods. We also hope for Kimbrough's sake, the cops get the shooter first.
((ht: al.com))
