Auburn redshirt freshman Jakell Mitchell shot and killed
AUBURN, Ala — Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed at an apartment complex near the Auburn University campus early Sunday morning.
Auburn Police responded to a call of shots fired at the at approximately 12:25 a.m. Sunday.
Mitchell, 18, was a passenger in a vehicle contacted leaving the Tiger Lodge apartment complex on West Longleaf Drive and found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.
He was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center and died after his arrival, according to the Lee County Coroner's Office. An autopsy will be conducted in Montgomery.
Auburn released a statement Sunday morning from coach Gus Malzahn and athletics director Jay Jacobs.
"I'm devastated by and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell," Malzahn said. "My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. 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."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jakell Mitchell's family and those who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy," Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement. "This is a very trying time for those close to Jakell, including the student-athletes, coaches, staff and Auburn Family. We will provide counseling and support and do everything we can to help them through the grieving process."
The death is being treated as a homicide and the investigation is ongoing. Markale Hart, 22, has been arrested for Mitchell's murder.
Formerly of nearby Opelika High School, Mitchell missed his senior season in 2013 recovering from an ACL injury.
Opelika coach Brian Blackmon was told of the tragic news around 2:30 Sunday morning and visited Mitchell's mother, Arlicia.
"It's a really sad place and a lot of hurt," Blackmon said. "A lot of unanswered questions. I think any time you lose a kid that's got such a bright future, it's just unimaginable, the grief that you go through."
Mitchell. a tight end/H-back, redshirted this season in order to gain weight and was expected to play a bigger role next season following the departures of C.J. Uzomah and Brandon Fulse.
Mitchell rushed for 392 yards and 17 touchdowns and had 403 receiving yards as a junior in 2012.
Sunday's shooting occurred at the same apartment complex Desmonte Leonard shot and killed three man, including former Auburn players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips in June 2012. Leonard was convicted of capital murder, attempted murder and assault in October and will be sentenced in January.
James Crepea writes for the Montgomery Advertiser
