Edward Christian and Ladarious Phillips, 2 Auburn football players shot and killed
Three people were fatally shot, including two former Auburn University football players, and another three people were wounded during a party at an apartment complex near the school, authorities said Sunday.
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.
Ladarious Phillips, 20, the Tigers’ only true fullback last season as a sophomore, and ex-lineman Ed Christian, 20, who was a redshirt freshman, were killed when a gunman opened fire after a fight started at the University Heights apartments in Auburn.
“This is a trying time, not only for university students and athletes, but it’s young poeple,” Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said in a Sunday afternoon news conference. “It’s six young people that have been shot. As you can tell, the community is shaken by this and grieving today.”
Dawson said federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were actively hunting for a suspect identified as Desmonte Leonard, 22, of Montgomery, Ala. A warrant for three counts of capital murder had been signed and issued for Leonard, Dawson said.
Coach Gene Chizik released a statement shortly before the news conference was held.
“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,” Chizik said in a statement.
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