A University of Alabama basketball player has been arrested and charged with capital murder after a late night shooting in Tuscaloosa left a young woman dead.
According to AL.com, Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama police were dispatched to Bryant Denny Stadium on the university’s campus after the driver a vehicle flagged down a police car. Police discovered that the passenger in the vehicle, Jamea Jonae Harris, 23, of Birmingham, was deceased, and the driver told officers that their vehicle had been struck by gunfire.
The driver told police that he had returned fire in self-defense, and may have struck one of the suspects.
Investigators were able to determine the location of the shooting and identify two suspects based on witness testimony and review of video footage.
One of the suspects is 21-year old Darius Miles, a junior forward on the University of Alabama basketball team.
Just hours before the shooting, the team had announced that Miles would miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, but he was on the team’s bench during Alabama’s Saturday night game against LSU.
The other suspect, Michael Lynn Davis of Maryland, is not affiliated with the university or the basketball program.
Police believe that the shooting was the result of a “minor argument” between the suspects and the victims.
Following the news of his charges, the athletic department released a statement announcing that Miles had been removed from the team:
“First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim from last night’s incident. We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles, and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Athletics, in conjunction with the University, is fully cooperating with this investigation.”
The university also issued a statement that Miles had been “removed from campus” (presumably because he’s in jail).
“The University of Alabama’s utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community. We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
We are grateful for the quick and thorough response of law enforcement and emergency response teams, and we will continue to fully support the ongoing investigation. We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles; he has been removed from campus and is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team.”
Terrible situation for all involved.
