Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell killed sitting in his car
BHR HollyWood Reports.........Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed Sunday morning at an apartment complex near the Auburn University campus.
The apartment complex was quiet Sunday, with large amounts of broken glass on the ground. Police had spray-painted the ground in spots, apparently marking evidence, and a red car with the license plate "Jakell" was seen being towed away.
Auburn Police Capt. Will Matthews said police responded at 12:25 a.m. Sunday to a shots fired call the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, where the 18-year-old Mitchell was found. Mitchell was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Matthews said an investigation is ongoing and no suspects were in custody.
Coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement that he was "devastated" by Mitchell's death.
"I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy," he said. "I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs expressed his condolences to Mitchell's family on Twitter.
Mitchell missed his senior season at Opelika as he recovered from an ACL injury. He rushed for 392 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2013 as a junior.
Drake Ledet, an Auburn sophomore who lives in a building near the complex, he heard several gunshots shortly after midnight. He said there were two parties going on in the area hours earlier.
"I'd say it was at least eight [shots]," Ledet said, adding that he looked out his window. "People were screaming ... I saw people scattering everywhere, getting in their cars."
Jeremy Johnson, a backup quarterback, was one of those who drove up before midday Sunday to see the site and remember Mitchell. Johnson said he wasn't present at the time of the shooting, but wanted to come after hearing of the teammate's death.
"I couldn't believe it," Johnson said, growing emotional, before he left. "Jakell was a real good kid."
Sunday's shooting happened at the same apartment complex Desmonte Leonard killed three men at a party in the summer of 2012. The complex, located a few miles from campus, is popular with students and its name was changed following the 2012 shooting.
Jurors convicted Leonard of capital murder in the shooting deaths of former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips along with DeMario Pitts. Three other people were wounded.
Leonard's attorney said the shooting stemmed from a fight and that Leonard fired in self-defense. Prosecutors argued that Leonard aimed at the victims and wasn't involved in the initial fight.
Leonard will be sentenced on Jan. 20. The jury recommended life without parole, but the judge could still sentence him to death.
 |
| Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell killed |
The apartment complex was quiet Sunday, with large amounts of broken glass on the ground. Police had spray-painted the ground in spots, apparently marking evidence, and a red car with the license plate "Jakell" was seen being towed away.
Auburn Police Capt. Will Matthews said police responded at 12:25 a.m. Sunday to a shots fired call the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, where the 18-year-old Mitchell was found. Mitchell was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Matthews said an investigation is ongoing and no suspects were in custody.
 |
| Scene @ Jakell Mitchell Death |
Coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement that he was "devastated" by Mitchell's death.
"I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy," he said. "I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs expressed his condolences to Mitchell's family on Twitter.
The Auburn Family is grieving the loss of a teammate & friend Jakell Mitchell. We are praying for his family. pic.twitter.com/ZC5PP2nJ6u
— Jay Jacobs (@jayjacobsauad) December 14, 2014
Mitchell redshirted this season for the Auburn Tigers out of nearby Opelika High School. He was expected to contend for a starting spot next season at H-back and tight end.
 |
| Stop The Violence Whts To Gain!!!!!! Nothing |
Drake Ledet, an Auburn sophomore who lives in a building near the complex, he heard several gunshots shortly after midnight. He said there were two parties going on in the area hours earlier.
"I'd say it was at least eight [shots]," Ledet said, adding that he looked out his window. "People were screaming ... I saw people scattering everywhere, getting in their cars."
Jeremy Johnson, a backup quarterback, was one of those who drove up before midday Sunday to see the site and remember Mitchell. Johnson said he wasn't present at the time of the shooting, but wanted to come after hearing of the teammate's death.
"I couldn't believe it," Johnson said, growing emotional, before he left. "Jakell was a real good kid."
 |
| Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed Sunday morning |
Sunday's shooting happened at the same apartment complex Desmonte Leonard killed three men at a party in the summer of 2012. The complex, located a few miles from campus, is popular with students and its name was changed following the 2012 shooting.
Jurors convicted Leonard of capital murder in the shooting deaths of former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips along with DeMario Pitts. Three other people were wounded.
Leonard's attorney said the shooting stemmed from a fight and that Leonard fired in self-defense. Prosecutors argued that Leonard aimed at the victims and wasn't involved in the initial fight.
Leonard will be sentenced on Jan. 20. The jury recommended life without parole, but the judge could still sentence him to death.
I'm Big Blac Reporting From Atlanta GA
This Is Your BHR HollyWood Report
Comments