Jakell Mitchell, an 18-year-old freshman football player at Alabama's Auburn University, was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment complex early Sunday morning, and now police have arrested the 22-year-old gunman.
Authorities told The Associated Press that Mitchell was shot multiple times as he was arguing with another man at the Tiger Lodge, a housing complex in a rough area where two former football players and a third man were shot and killed during a pool party in 2012.
Markale Hart, of Dadeville, Alabama, was arrested Sunday afternoon and remained in custody at the Lee County Jail in Alabama Monday. He has been
charged with Mitchell's murder, AL.com reported. A possible motive has not yet been released.
Authorities told AL.com that they arrived at the apartment complex at 12:25 a.m. Sunday and found Mitchell with multiple gunshot wounds in the passenger's seat of a vehicle. He was later pronounced dead in the East Alabama Medical Center emergency room, according to the Lee County Coroner's Office.
"He just started shooting," witness Ayanna Hughuley, 17, told authorities of the suspect, according to the AP. "Jakell fell on the ground and he tried to get back up and run, and then he fell again. He started shooting at Jakell again while Jakell was on the ground."
Mitchell, a tight end, sat out this season as a redshirt freshman on Auburn's football team, but was expected to compete for a starting spot after some seniors graduate next year.
"I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell,"
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement released by the university. "My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs called Mitchell's death a "terrible tragedy."
"This is a very trying time for those close to Jakell, including the student-athletes, coaches, staff and Auburn Family," Jacobs said in a statement. "We will provide counseling and support and do everything we can to help them through the grieving process."