Multiple Gunshot Victims Reported Near Alabama’s Auburn University
- Posted on June 10, 2012 at 7:48am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Auburn police confirmed there was a shooting with multiple victims at the University Heights apartment complex on West Longleaf Drive in Auburn, Ala., late Saturday, June 9, 2012. (AP Photo/The Birmingham News/Frank Couch)
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — A gunman opened fire during a fight at a party at an apartment complex near Auburn University, killing three people, including two former school football players, authorities said Sunday. Three other people were injured, with one in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.
Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said during a news conference that current football player Eric Mack was among those wounded and was being treated at a hospital. Authorities were searching for the accused shooter, who had been charged with capital murder.
Slain were Edward Christian, who had not been playing because of a back injury, and Ladarious Phillips, who had previously quit playing football. The other person killed was 20-year-old Demario Pitts.
Officials also said Xavier Moss and John Robertson were wounded. Robertson had been shot in the head and was in critical condition; Moss was released from the hospital.
“The only connection that the Auburn football team has to this is they are victims of a brutal shooting. Sometimes the young men get a bad rap, I feel like, but they are the victims today,” Dawson said.
AP
Police say Desmonte Leonard has been charged with capital murder and has not yet been captured. Dawson urged Leonard to turn himself in and also said authorities were searching for two other persons of interest.
Dawson stressed that the football team was connected to the shooting only because current and former players were victims.
Mourners walk out of a housing complex at the scene of an overnight shooting, Sunday, June 10, 2012, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
“Them being football players really has nothing to do with this. They’re victims of a shooting,” Dawson said.
Turquorius Vines, 23, said he was at the pool party Saturday evening at the University Heights apartments with one of his friend, Pitts. He said he and his friend were approached by two other men who started arguing with them over a woman.
Vines said he punched one of the men, while Pitts hit both of the men over the head with a bottle. Either one or both of the two men then started shooting, he said. He said his friend was shot and killed, while two others also were hit by gunfire. Vines said he had never before seen the men who he had been arguing with.
“It’s like I lost a lung,” Vines said of his friend. “I don‘t know how I’m going to survive this.”
Several emergency vehicles had converged overnight around the University Heights apartment complex where reports indicated a number of students who attend Auburn University typically reside. The building was swathed in yellow police tape.
It appeared that the shooting happened in an archway near the apartment complex information center, near the edge of the parking lot. Five uniformed officers guarded the area, which was sealed off with crime scene tape, and a handful of crime scene investigators were at work.
Mack, the wounded player, is a junior offensive lineman from St. Matthews, S.C. He played in five games last season. Coach Gene Chizik said Mack was expected to make a full recovery.
Christian is an offensive lineman who was out last season while dealing with a back injury. Phillips was a backup fullback. Chizik said in April that Phillips had decided to give up football.
This post has been updated.
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Comments (88)
LeadNotFollow
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 3:35pm…
Report Post »This is not real news. It merely happened near the university, not at the university.
It was a pool party that turned into a brawl over a woman, then erupted into gunfire.
This happens on a regular basis, since the beginning of time. Men kill each other over women.
RedPepper2
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 4:22pmIt doesn’t happen in my community!
Report Post »radargeek
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 4:43pmShould of through a basketball in the middle of the fight…
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 6:58pmSo Turquorius and his friend Jamal started arguing with Tyrone and Andree,. and it was all over who go to kick it with Tomeka and Lashonda.
Then Tyrone pulls out the jammy, and busts a cap in Jamal, and a few others.
Do you think Jessie and Al will show up for this one?
If Obama had a son, would he look like Turquorius?
Did the cops act stupid on this one?
Will CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS run this story for months, and declare Tyrone be brought to justice?
WIll the New Black Panther Party put out a reward on Tyrones’s head?
Welfare, rap music, multiculturalism, and the MSM all got together and had a giant sex party, The offspring is crime, drugs, laziness, and more welfare. Thanks LBJ, Thanks Jimmy Carter, Thanks Billy Clinton, Thanks B. Hussein Obama
Report Post »jzs
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:59pmIn America, we guaranteed the right to own firearms. They keep us safe. And if we are threatened we have the right to use deadly force to defend ourselves.
Other sissy countries don’t let their populace own firearms. And of course nobody gets killed from guns, and they have far fewer homicides. But those are, like, European countries where they have like Democracies instead of the Republic thing we have going on where guns protect us from becoming a, like, Democracy or something and so what if we have the highest murder rate among industrialized countries? Americans can kill whoever threatens them, anytime, anywhere. That’s what makes our country great, as opposed to those Democracies with murder rates 1/00 of that in this country. Those countries could become something really bad at any time because they don’t have a bunch of people with guns to prevent them from doing whatever bad thing they might do.
God bless America and God bless guns and may those killed by guns in this country rest in heck, and may the Good Lord raise up those who kill with guns, so shall they be called the Sons of God. For their by their righteous anger have they borne the sword of God, and smite the foes of God Almighty. Everyday here in the US God wields his mighty sword against evil, killing hundreds or thosands of evil doers.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:16pmJZS
Here are some facts for you. When you check murder stats the world over, we are pretty far down on the list on murder per capita.
Russia out does out by a long shot. Now how is it that they do not have a second amendment, and they have more murders?
Come to think of it, how comes we outlaw crack, but you can still get it if you like?
While you hold up Europe as the shining example of what is good, along with moving there, why don’t you check out their economic situation. They are about to fall to the ground. Thier socialism is killing them, along with their multiculturalism. Go check the rape stats in France, and see where muslim men are doing 90% of it, and mostly on non muslim women. Not sure the reason, but you will also find that the nations with the lowest, generally do not have very many folks from African decent.
You will also discover that the Swiss have a very low murder rate, and funny how every home has an assault rifle.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:19pmJZS
You do realize that 12% of our population is doing 50% of our murders?
Report Post »SpeckChaser
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:20pmJZS said, “Other sissy countries don’t let their populace own firearms. And of course nobody gets killed from guns,”
This is probably the most intelligent statement JZS was able to muster up. Not to be confused with actual intelligence, just the best he could do.
Why don’t we ban murder and rape while we’re at it? You know, so we won’t have any more murders or rapes.
JZS, I am not a person who calls names like idiot, moron, or imbecile. However, if I were that type of person, now would be a time where I directed those names towards you.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:22pmJZS
You do know that your cities with the highest ammount of gun control have the highest murder rates?
You do know that when Australia outlawed handguns, their hangun violence went up 300% in four years?
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:13amHey JZS,
I’m going to pull a you, and go off topic.
I notice that you have not posted in the Beck / radio story.
Holy Toledo JZS, 100,000,000 contract.
What’s up JZS? It just don’t add up? You have been telling us that stations and sponsors have been fleeing like union members in Wisconsin.
How does someone get a 100,000,000 contract without any advertisers?
Come on mister smarty pants, splain that.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:11am@jzs
Der her, der her! In other countries where guns are illegal to private owners, NO ONE gets killed by guns! Huuuuuuuuhhhh. Huh.
Hu-yuck-yuck. I’m JZS, and I’m a Doucheasaurus Rex!
Report Post »black9897
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:34am@JZS
Guns do keep people safe. Washington D.C. for example has some of the highest rates of violence and murder, etc. oh wait…it’s illegal to carry a gun there. You must understand that when a weapon or drug for example is deemed “illegal” it gives power to the criminal underground/blackmarket. It sends all the guns into the hands of the criminals. How? Law abiding lucy is good so she doesn’t carry a gun in D.C., but Craig the criminal does because he doesn’t care what the law says. Craig robs and murders lucy because she wasn’t able to protect herself. Please tell me how that law prevented her death? It doesn’t.
In order to get our power back and get the guns into our hands (they will always be in the hands of the criminals to) is to make carrying a gun legal. See, you are also not able to get help if say you wants drugs or a prostitute and get hurt in the process..it’s called the clean hands doctrine. Can’t call the police and tell them your pimp hit you, because you‘re a prostitute what you’re doing is illegal.
Please go into a prison and ask any violent criminal if they care what the law says. Also ask them would they be more or less willing to attack someone if they knew, or suspected that a person was carrying a gun?
Report Post »rlimike
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 3:13pmMove along nothing to see here folks … just another violent chimp-out
Report Post »biffo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 2:21pmThe MBA program will be devastated.
Report Post »biffo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 3:07pmoops, I meant NBA.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 2:11pmBlack on Black?
Report Post »OuttheSocialist
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 4:39pmFewer votes for Obama. Let’s see more of this.
Report Post »dewardo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 1:33pmAl Sharpton reportedly advises that he has reason to suspect it was those w h i t e me x i c a n s again. Not to be confused with the hispanic or latinos cause we need their votes in November.
Report Post »Southpaw
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 12:42pmI went to Auburn. Great school and city. The problem is they are right next to Opelika, AL, a small city with such violent crime they have a SWAT team to serve high risk warrants. The people in Opelika come to Auburn for the college parties, and you get a volatile mix. There was a shooting at Auburn Crossings (apt. complex) while I was there, but no one was hit and it pretty much got swept under the rug. Unfortunately this has been a long time coming. I am sorry for the victims and their families. Students need to start really paying attention to where they are and who else is there. That small, safe college town isn’t immune from outsiders.
Report Post »radargeek
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 4:38pmIs there an app for that?
Report Post »dr emil shuffhausen
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 5:39pmThere was a shooting at the Pi Kappa Alpha house in the ‘90’s and a Pike was seriously wounded. A man had been turned away from a party and then returned with a gun.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 6:38pmYah, right- let’s pass the buck and accuse a neighboring small town. Maybe we can get SWAT to stop every vehicle in that community and look for… what? illegal weapons and drugs? illegal aliens? Maybe there’s someone there who has knowledge of what happened so we should handcuff every citizen until the culprits reveal themselves.
Report Post »What a moronic association.
Southpaw
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 7:45pmShooter is from Montgomery, not Opelika. Wrong neighboring town.
Report Post »rhettnc
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:49am“authorities had set up a white tent there where there was a lot of activity.”
Report Post »Wow such blatant racism… The tent can’t help what color it is
oriondma05
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:57amI don’t know about you, but just about all the pool parties I got to end in gun fights. Birthday parties, Christmas parties, first communions, little league games, dentist appointments. Someone always get shot.
Report Post »supressorgrid
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 12:56pmI was at the shooting range yesterday when a rap concert broke out. God, it was frightening.
Report Post »thesouthwasrght
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:53amThis would be considered a good day in Chicago, but very little is said of what is going on there. Wonder why that is? The first qtr. of this year saw 490 wounded and 120 dead in that fine city. Just a few weeks ago they had 25 wounded in one weekend w/ 2 dead. But nothing is ever said nationally on any of the major “news” outlets.
And it’s only going to get worse as these people progressivley lose what little respect they had left for the police and justice sytem. I never thought I’d see the day where every time I leave the house I am packing, every time. And esp. if we have to go to the mall for some shopping. I would advise everyone here and elsewhere to prepare yourself and your families to and how to defend themselves. Then if possible leave, quickly, as it is apparent the law will not be your friend if you do indeed defend yourself.
Report Post »lamarwilly
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 3:38pmBy my count then this would have to be a very good (in a bad way). With a body count of six dead and 34 shot since Friday night. The scary thought is it isn’t even summer.
Report Post »407west
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:39amJust another reason to disarm the gun owners in OBUMMERVILLE.
Report Post »M13
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:50amHow about disarming your stupidity first?
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 6:42pm@ M13- I’ll second that sentiment. Let’s send a SWAT team to his door and disarm him.
Report Post »BO_Bill
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:24amAmerican native fails to appreciate Diversity on camera. New York reporter is at a loss. Public comment on the opinions expressed are, of course, not permitted.
Report Post »oriondma05
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:58amWow, that guy has courage. I like how the guy says “generalizations” about East Buffalo. Everyone knows that typically the most dangerous areas in cities are low income/minority neighborhoods.
Sad to say, but it‘s true and this guy wasn’t afraid to say it.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 12:16pmPeople actually take better care of things that they work for as opposed to things that are given to them.
Report Post »biffo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 7:14pmTime to start telling the truth about these animals. They are vicous murderers with no remorse, have never worked or been held resposible for their actions. The white taxpayer has supported them and they hate us. Time to get rid of this lifestyle. Back to the old west. Steal my horse, you get hanged, everybody agrees. Not that many horsethieves back then. Call these racist blacks out at every turn. No work, no cell phone. No work, no eat. Call these black racists out at every opportunity, Silence is consent.
Report Post »biffo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 7:18pmHe is right. Racist blacks destroy neighborhoods. The obama plantation destroys everything they are GIVEN (not earned). Keep them in their ghettos where they can happily kill each other. The evidence is in your face in every city in the nation.
Report Post »JohnG in PC
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:12amSince when do we report on black on black crime? I know that 3% of all black killings are the result of whites, but that is supposed to be the only ones that are reported. We are told NEVER to report blacks killing whites or blacks killing blacks. I guess whoever authorized the release of this story did so before the facts were known and they assumed it must have been a white doing the shooting. Thats what happens when you start to believe your own propaganda.
Report Post »407west
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:08amNo bottles in the pool area— is that like No guns allowed in the playground—-
Report Post »Inlandmar2
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:46amThis story is a perfect example of the media attempting to hype a story. While the shootings are tragic, it appears that there is no connnection to Auburn University. So why is Auburn University mentioned in the headline? Ans. – To generate hype.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:50amInlandmar2
because it happened in Auburn, Alabama, and it was just outside the university.
Report Post »andybo28
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:03amThere probably isn’t any real connection to the university, but Auburn is kind of a small city so this kind of thing isn’t common. There might have been some students involved, but probably not. This apartment complex is located in a section of Auburn that started developing about fifteen years ago and stopped developing about five years ago.
The university has expanded its on-campus living options the last few years and there are newer developments closer to campus where most students live now. As a result, the section of Auburn where University Heights is located has become pretty trashy because they have had to lower the rent to keep occupants.
At any rate, I hate to see my University in headlines like this.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 10:59amRANGERP, You forgot to mention that involved either current or former Auburn football players. Another thing that most outsiders don’t understand is that everybody in the town of Auburn lives and breaths the blue and orange much like everybody in Tuscaloosa lives and breaths crimson and white.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 11:04amINLANDMAR2, Fox has just reported that the apartment building is where a good number of Auburn University athletes reside.
Report Post »Inlandmar2
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:08amThe University Heights Apartment complex is more than a mile from the Auburn Campus. Look at it another way. How many murders are committed within a mile of the Capital building in Washington, DC? Ever see a headline, specifically naming the Capital building when a murder is committed?
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:42amWhat does this have to do with Auburn University? Why do the victims in this crime make national news when innocent victims in other communities do not? Were the victims or shooters students or part of the athletic department? Crime and violence can happen any place at any time.
I live in a university town and none of our violent crime gets reported in the national news. The only crime that makes the national press is when one of our basketball or football players and/or coaches get a DUI or assault charge. We have had two teens murdered this year alone due to gang violence.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:29amAnother example of why every campus needs to allow concealed carry, at least on the grounds. Then work it up to in the buildings.
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:49am@ RANGERP….lmaoooooooooooo, good one ;)
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:24amAnother case of Black on Black murder ? The police and the coroners were not releasing any information .Remember Zimmerman they fell over each to convict him and the press burned him at the stake before his day in court !!!.
Report Post »TWO BITS
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:03amFox News tentatively reported at least two deaths early this morning. Violence is wide-spread now, and anyone can be a victim, but parents’ concerns about university life are intensified by this type story.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:14amFox’s last mention before I changed to Spike was now up to three fatalities. It was not mentioned yet if that was the person listed in critical condition at a local hospital.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:58amPerhaps the Blaze will update us with the demographics of all involved; along with the motive – rather than the 95% probability that most of you are right.
Report Post »steve5150
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 5:06pmI have already seen pictures of victims and shooter. Everyones guess was of course correct.
Report Post »randy
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:39amWell, we can assume the shooter is black, otherwise, we’d see his photo plastered all over this story.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:27am9 to 5 it’s thug football players and their possee…
Report Post »NLN
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:16amI bet you are right.
Report Post »horsehockey
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:50amOr, thug athletes of one sport or another-the way they tatoo themselves these days, they look like they ought to be in the “Folsom Prison” yard instead of on public display. In my day and time as an amateur athlete, we were at least clean cut.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 12:00pmIf Folsom Prison had a professional sports team, they could rule the sports scene. In fact, they don’t have to recruit.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:12amIt seems that the police are being awfully tight lipped on this one. I guess we’ll wait to see if drugs or other gang related activities were involved.
Report Post »Fishmanone
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:06amim guessing the shooters were black!!!!!
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:00amI’ve been a life long Alabama fan, but at times like this I have to say that my heart and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and peers during this time of grief. I really hope they find the culprits quickly.
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 7:58amIs it news because it`s on campus? Hell it`s like a war zone right here in New Orleans. But no National Coverage. We never see Jesse and Al in down town New Orleans trying to put and end to the none stop shootings night after night. No one demanding justice for the deaths of all these youths!
Report Post »Ishmot2
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:08amIt has to be one killing many, not ten blacks, killing ten others blacks to make the news.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:11am“We never see Jesse and Al in down town New Orleans trying to put and end to the none stop shootings night after night.”
If it doesn’t fit their particular narrative, those two Reareands will never be there (or anywhere else for that matter) where real damage is being done daily and nightly.
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 9:46amWe never see Jesse and Al in down town New Orleans trying to put and end to the none stop shootings night after night……………….And you NEVER will ;)
Report Post »