Auburn Shooting: 2 Former Players Dead, Desmonte Leonard Charged With Murders

Desmonte Leonard Now In Court For 3 Murder Charges

Auburn shooting suspect Desmonte Leonard appears in court Thursday, facing three counts of capital murder for the Saturday night deaths of Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips and Demario Pitts. The former two are former Auburn football players. A current Tigers player, Eric Mack, was injured in the shooting, but was released from the hospital shortly after. Leonard also has three assault charges to contend with.

The AP lays out what awaits Leonard on Thursday:

The hearing Thursday is expected to be brief, with a judge explaining the charges against him. Because he is charged with capital murder, bond is not expected to be set.

After the hearing, he'll be transported back to Lee County, the site of the original incident.

Leonard turned himself in late Tuesday after an extensive manhunt that led police to Montgomery, where they tear-gassed a house that Leonard was apparently not actually in.

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Auburn Shooting: Desmonte Leonard's Mother Helped Convince Son To Turn Himself In, Says Auburn Police Chief

The manhunt for Desmonte Leonard, the suspect in the shooting death of three men, including two former Auburn football players, turned himself in on Tuesday night. While many details are not yet available to the public, it appears that Leonard's mother helped convince her son to submit to the authorities (via Al.com):

[Auburn Police Chief Tommy] Dawson said he believes Leonard's mother helped persuade her son to turn himself in.

"She seemed like an honest person and she told me she'd do all she could," Dawson said.

Leonard is facing capital murder charges over the deaths of DeMario Pitts, Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips, the latter two being the former Tigers football players. He is also facing assault charges for wounding three others on Saturday night. He will be moved to Lee County later this week.

Auburn President Jay Gogue released a statement following Leonard's arrest. It reads in part:

[...] This is a difficult time for our campus and community. We're remembering those who lost their lives, and it's important that we pull together to help those who are grieving and recovering. We're offering counseling to students, and we've reached out to the families [...]

For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Auburn Shooting Suspect Desmonte Leonard Surrenders To Police

Police have been on a manhunt for Desmonte Leonard, who is suspected as the shooter who killed two former Auburn football players late Saturday night. The police previously had arrested two suspects, but now had Leonard in custody after he surrendered to authorities on Tuesday evening, the Associated Press confirmed.

Attorney Susan James says in a phone interview that Desmonte Leonard was taken into custody on Tuesday. Her comments confirm an earlier report by a law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Police were nearly able to capture Leonard on Monday, but wound up raiding the wrong house and Leonard was not there.

Leonard is facing three capital murder charges for the shooting death of 20-year-old Demario Pitts, 20-year-old Ladarious Phillips and 20-year-old Ed Christian. Leonard is also thought to have shot and wounded 20-year-old John Robertson, 20-year-old Eric Mack, and 19-year-old Xavier Moss.

The Auburn police department will hold a press conference at 9:15 p.m. CDT. You can watch the press conference live on WFSA Channel 12's website.

For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Auburn Shooting: Police Raided Wrong House, FBI Admits

The manhunt for Desmonte Leonard, the man police suspect of killing three and wounding three in a Saturday night shooting, continues, with a Monday night siege of a Montgomery home turning up no arrests. Police fired tear gas into the residence, claiming at one point that thermal imaging turned up evidence of someone hiding in the attic. But early Tuesday morning, officers left the scene.

Now, via Reuters, the story:

The location "turned out not to be correct," FBI spokesman Douglas Astralaga said.

This, of course, has been disputed by local authorities:

APD chief: "They may bring him out of that house yet." No law enforcement is there now. We know this.

— HABOTN (@HABOTN) June 12, 2012

Police earlier said that they had information taken from two 911 calls that placed Leonard at the home. Officers have now turned some of their attention to those reports themselves, promising to "vigorously pursue" anyone who offers false information.

They've said since early in the week that Leonard's believed to be in Montgomery, with two arrested "persons of interest" also hailing from the town. Officers have also said they'll pay to repair damage incurred during the raid, which sounds quite substantial.

Two former Tigers football players, Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips, died in the shooting, and a current player, Eric Mack, was wounded but released.

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Auburn Shooting Suspect Pursued, But Attic Apparently Not His Location

Though police have arrested two persons of interest in the Auburn shooting investigation, they've yet to nab prime suspect Desmonte Leonard. He's suspected by law enforcement to be responsible for the Saturday night deaths of Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips.

Police believed they'd tracked Leonard to Montgomery, Ala., with both of the arrested parties so far also residing in Montgomery. Monday evening, they held a lengthy standoff with the apparent occupants of one residence, but were unable to turn up any sure signs of Leonard:

Law enforcement swarmed the scene Monday afternoon and spent hours firing tear gas, using thermal imaging and sending tactical teams on forays inside the house as they searched for Desmonte Leonard. They hadn't brought anyone out of the home by the time they held a briefing just after midnight.

And around 2:25 a.m. Tuesday, an Associated Press photographer on the scene saw all law enforcement agents that had been there leave without comment. It wasn't immediately clear why they left. There was no activity around the house.

Police had been told by two separate 911 callers that Leonard was in the house, and he's thought to be still near the area. Officers have previously described him as armed and dangerous, but request the public's assistance in bringing him to justice. The FBI and U.S. Marshals have offered a combined $15,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.

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Auburn Shooting: Police Surround House Looking For Suspect Desmonte Leonard

A situation is developing regarding the pursuit of the prime suspect in the shooting that took place at Auburn University and left three people dead Saturday night. Police have surrounded the location where they believe prime shooting suspect Desmonte Leonard was hiding. According to Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News, a SWAT team entered the building on Monday at approximately 10:00 p.m. ET.

The Associated Press reports that the police were led to the location via 911 calls.

Authorities received two 911 calls that someone who looked like suspect Desmonte Leonard was in or near the house, Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange told reporters. One of the calls came from the owner of the home.

The latest reports, coming via Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser, state that the suspect is believed to be hiding out in the attic of the home. Fire and Rescue team members have entered the home carrying fiberglass poles designed to rip sheet rock. It is possible that the authorities may be attempting to tear the floor of the attic out from under the suspect.

Stay tuned here for more on the Auburn incident as events continue to unfold. Check here for the live feed from local TV news WSFA.

For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2 Auburn Shooting 'Persons Of Interest' Arrested. Desmonte Leonard At Large

One day after Auburn police announced Desmonte Leonard as the prime suspect in the Saturday night shooting that claimed the lives of two former Tigers football players and wounded another, two arrests have already been made. Jeremy Thomas, 18, and Gabriel Thomas, 41, were both charged with hindering prosecution. Both are from Montgomery, but it's unclear whether they're related, according to police.

According to Auburn Undercover's report, Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson says Leonard is believed to also be in the Montgomery area. Police have previously described him as armed and dangerous, but request the public's assistance in bringing him to justice. The FBI and U.S. Marshals have offered a combined $15,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.

Stay tuned here for more on the Auburn incident as police track Leonard and a community seeks to rebuild.

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Survivor Eric Mack On Auburn Shooting: 'My Daughter Was On My Mind'

Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Eric Mack was fortunate enough to survive a Saturday night shooting that claimed the lives of two former teammates, Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips. He was released from the hospital late Sunday.

Now Mack has given an exclusive interview with the Times and Democrat, his hometown paper. In one of several amazing quotes, Mack says he was so busy trying to help others he didn't realize he'd been shot:

"I just wanted to make sure everybody was safe," Mack told the T&D. "I wasn't even worried about myself. When I first found out I got shot, I didn't even really realize it. I was still walking around checking on my teammates making sure they were all right."

Mack also tells the T&D he feels a "responsibility" to achieve for the families of his fallen teammates and that thoughts of his four-year-old daughter motivated him to make it through. During his brief time in the hospital, Mack heard from Alshon Jeffery and several other local stars.

The sophomore exited spring ball as a starter for Auburn at guard this year.

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Auburn Shooting: Eric Mack Released From Hospital

Auburn Tigers football player Eric Mack, who suffered a gunshot wound at the pool party shooting that saw three people, including two former Auburn players, lose their lives Saturday night, has been released from the hospital, according to al.com, which has had phenomenal coverage of the developing story.

Mack, an offensive lineman, was admitted to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Saturday night, and stayed until Sunday evening recovering from the wound, reportedly suffered in the hip area. Mack, a sophomore, redshirted his freshman year. He was rated the No. 2 offensive guard in the country by ESPN coming out of high school.

Two other victims, John Robertson and Xavier Moss, were hospitalized. Moss was released earlier Sunday while Robertson has been described as "fighting for his life," according to police officials. Police have identified a prime suspect, Desmonte Leonard, and have offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

For more on Auburn, visit Track 'Em Tigers. For continuing updates on the shootings, keep checking back with this StoryStream.

Auburn Shooting: Closer Looks At Victims Ladarious Phillips And Ed Christian

In the aftermath of Saturday night's deadly shooting at an Auburn, Ala., apartment complex pool party that left three people dead, more details are surfacing about the two former Auburn Tigers football players whose lives were lost. Current player Eric Mack was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

From al.com, first on Ladarious Phillips, a 290-pound fullback from Roanoke, Ala., who had left the team in 2011 with plans to transfer to Jacksonville State:

Ladarious Phillips was a fan favorite even before arriving on campus. He was a 290-pound behemoth who was designated as an "athlete" during his recruitment because his skills were so diverse.

[...]

Running backs coach Curtis Luper once bragged that the big fellow could dunk a basketball and do flat-footed back flips.

Ed Christian redshirted in 2011 and suffered a back injury, so he was never able to make it onto the field, but he was still loved around the Tigers' program, according to the al.com report:

When news of his death reached teammates Saturday night, they reacted with grief and disbelief.

"He was my brother," tweeted lineman Chad Slade, who said he and Christian were roommates as freshmen.

For more on Auburn, visit Track 'Em Tigers. For continuing updates on the shootings, keep checking back with this StoryStream.

Auburn Shooting: Police Identify Suspect With Past Arrests On Weapons Charges

In the immediate aftermath of the Saturday night shooting at an Auburn, Ala., apartment complex that left three dead -- including former football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian -- Auburn police have identified a suspect, according to al.com, in 22-year-old Desmonte Leonard. The police say they're in the process of an "active manhunt" for Leonard, who now has three capital murder warrants to his name. From the al.com story:

Leonard was charged with theft and carrying a weapon without a permit or license in 2008. He was also charged with second-degree assault in 2009.

[...]

Most recently, Leonard was sued on Friday in Montgomery County Circuit by a woman seeking child support for a daughter she claimed he fathered in 2011.

Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson said Leonard is "armed and dangerous."

Police are also looking for two other "persons of interest," whose identities were not released, al.com said.

For more on Auburn, visit Track 'Em Tigers. For continuing updates on the shootings, keep checking back with this StoryStream.

Auburn Shooting: Gene Chizik's Statement On Death Of Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips

Auburn University head football coach Gene Chizik issued a statement on the tragic shootings this weekend that took the life of three young men, including two former Tigers football players. The shooting also wounded one current player. Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips, who were no longer playing at Auburn, were confirmed dead by Auburn Police during a press conference Sunday afternoon. A third victim, current Auburn football player Eric Mack, was treated at East Alabama Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Christian, Phillips, and Mack were all members of Chizik's 2010 recruiting class at Auburn. His statement on the tragedy, via AuburnTigers.com:

"This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men, including two that I personally knew in Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips and my heart goes out to their families. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of the victims involved in this tragic incident. Nobody should ever have to endure such unimaginable grief, and we will love and support the victims' families during this terribly difficult time. We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we're going to do everything we can to help them get through this. We are relieved that Eric Mack, who was also a victim in this incident, is expected to make a full recovery. This is a very trying time for everyone involved, and I would just ask that you lift up the victims and their families in your prayers."

In addition to the three victims connected with the Auburn football program, another individual identified as Demario Pitts died from his wounds shortly after arriving at the hospital. Victim John Robertson is currently in critical condition at UAB Hospital, and Xavier Moss was treated and released

For more on Auburn, visit Track 'Em Tigers.

Auburn Shooting: Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips Confirmed Dead By Police

Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson confirmed the tragic deaths of three young men who were shot late Saturday night at an apartment complex near Auburn University. Former Auburn football player Ed Christian was dead on the scene when police arrived. Two others died from their wounds shortly after arriving at the hospital, identified by police as Demario A. Pitts and another former Auburn football player, Ladarious Phillips.

Three other individuals were wounded in the shooting. An individual identified as John Robertson is in critical condition and "fighting for his life" at UAB Hospital. Eric Mack, a current Auburn football player, is at East Alabama Medical Center and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Xavier Moss was treated and released.

The shooting suspect has been identified as Desmonte Leonard and police are currently in an active manhunt for the "armed and dangerous" man. Dawson indicated there are two other persons of interest, but would not identify them publicly. Three warrants were signed charging Leonard with capital murder and federal U.S. Marshals are assisting the local authorities in the pursuit.

Dawson did say that the police had a motive but would not go into details. He also stressed that there was no specific connection to the Auburn football team that provoked the altercation, saying the three individuals who were murdered were not targeted but simply victims of a "fight that got out of hand." Via Evan Woodberry:

"I don't believe they were targeted .I don't like the word random when it comes to shooting. It was a fight that obviously got out of hand."

— Evan Woodbery (@auburnbeat) June 10, 2012

Dawson provided a recent photo of Leonard:

Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson holds a photo of suspect Desmonte Leonard. twitter.com/auburnbeat/sta…

— Evan Woodbery (@auburnbeat) June 10, 2012

The University also issued a brief statement addressing the tragedy:

"We're deeply saddened about last night's tragic events that impacted the Auburn community and the Auburn family. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the victims and their families. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We're in constant contact with area authorities and will continue to assist in any way possible. Our attention is now focused on providing care and support to those touched by this tragedy."

For more on Auburn, visit Track 'Em Tigers.

Auburn Shooting: 2 Football Players Among Dead After Fight At Party, According To Reports

Three Auburn football players were reportedly shot near campus, with former players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips reportedly losing their lives.

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