Auburn Shooting Suspect at Large: 2 Ex-Football Players Killed
Two former Auburn football players, Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian, both 20 years of age, were killed in a shooting at an apartment near campus.
Police are actively looking for the suspect in the Auburn shooting, 22-year-old Desmonte Leonard of Montgomery, Ala., reports ESPN.
The shooting happened late Saturday night after Leonard allegedly opened fire following a fight at the University Heights apartment building in Auburn. According to witnesses, the shooting happened between 10 and 11:00 p.m., leaving three people dead and three others hurt.
Another Auburn football player, Erick Mack, was also shot, but he has already been released from the hospital, reports ESPN.
A warrant for three counts of capital murder has been issued for Desmonte Leonard. Leonard has a prior criminal history that involves assault and weapons charges.
Once Leonard is arrested, he could face the death penalty. Alabama is one of the states that has the death penalty, and for killing three people in the Auburn shooting, Leonard faces penalties for a capital offense.
Alabama law does not provide for the death penalty in every murder. Instead, only in extreme circumstances like a murder committed during a rape or the murder of multiple people, can a person be charged with a capital offense.
Because Desmonte Leonard allegedly killed three people in the Auburn shooting including two Auburn football players, he could face the death penalty once he is caught. In the meantime, police issued a warning to the public to call 911 if they see Leonard. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Related Resources:
- Auburn shooting suspect at large (FindLaw)
- Death Penalty (FindLaw)
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