Moments ago, Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson held a press conference in the Chambers of the Auburn City Council regarding the shooting that occurred last night.
According to Chief Dawson, six individuals were shot at a party held at the clubhouse of the University Heights apartment complex. Three of those that were shot have passed away. Among the deceased are former Auburn football players Ed Christian (age 20) and LaDarious Phillips (age 20), as well as Auburn resident Demario Pitts (age 20). Two other Auburn residents, Xavier Moss and John Robertson were also shot, as well as current Auburn football player Eric Mack.
Christian was pronounced dead at the scene when police arrived. Phillips and Pitts were transported to East Alabama Medical Center where they were later pronounced dead. Mack is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries at EAMC and expected to make a full recovery. Robertson was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham and, at the time this was written, in surgery and listed in critical condition. Moss was treated for injuries at EAMC and later released.
Auburn Police Department has enlisted the aid of the Montgomery Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Alabama and Federal Bureaus of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals in investigating the shooting and locating the suspected shooter. Chief Dawson identified the primary suspect in the shooting as Desmonte Leonard (pictured below) of Montgomery and has asked for anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact local authorities. Leonard is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. APD has taken out warrants for his arrest on three counts of capital murder.
Chief Dawson was not willing to discuss any details of the case, including evidence or motive, at this time. He wished to hold that information in order to be able to prosecute the case to the fullest extent possible. Dawson was adamant that this case has nothing to do with the football program or the individuals' relationship to it. Those individuals were innocent victims who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.