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Like many of you, I am just waking up to see this news. Tight-end Jakell Mitchell - a freshman who was redshirting this season - was shot and killed at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex. It happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Tiger Lodge is the same complex where player Edward Christian and former player Ladarious Phillips were shot and killed at a party in June of 2012. At the time, the complex was known as University Heights. It has been renamed since the previous shooting.
Police are still looking for the shooter. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Auburn Police Department.
Auburn University's semester ended on Friday and graduation was held yesterday. Mitchell was a local native though, so the Auburn-Opelika area was his home.
Mitchell was a three star prospect out of Opelika who was expected to compete for playing time as an H-back/tight end in the spring and fall. He had drawn praise for his performance in practice, and really only needing to gain weight held him back from competing for playing time this season.
It is another tragic day for Auburn football. Many of these players have now lost four of their teammates in the past two and a half years with the shooting at this complex in 2012 and the death of Philip Lutzenkirchen in a car accident just before the start of this season.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mitchell's family and friends.
UPDATED: Auburn police have released a statement regarding the shooting.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Auburn police release on Jakell Mitchell shooting. <a href="http://t.co/CpxeacIYZs">pic.twitter.com/CpxeacIYZs</a></p>— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/dayneyoung/status/544149645325508609">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Players, Coaches, and those who covered him during recruiting react:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I couldn't believe what I was reading last night about Jakell Mitchell, hard to believe. Great kid from my experiences and loved smiling.</p>— Justin Hokanson (@JHokanson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JHokanson/status/544139021161885696">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jakell Mitchell was such a wonderful young guy to cover coming out of high school. I'm really too devastated to say any more</p>— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/Keith247Sports/status/544117471859720192">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Such devastating news out of Auburn this morning. Really a heart breaking story.</p>— Karibi Dede, Ph.D. (@Coach_Dede) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Dede/status/544140116592427008">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of former Opelika Bulldog and current Auburn Tiger Jakell Mitchell. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPJAKELL?src=hash">#RIPJAKELL</a></p>— Opelika High School (@OHSDawgs) <a href="https://twitter.com/OHSDawgs/status/544144188053663745">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The sadness I feel right now is overwhelming. My hope is in Jesus. My prayers are that Mitchell family will find Peace in Him also.</p>— Brian Blackmon (@opelikacoach) <a href="https://twitter.com/opelikacoach/status/544092805032058880">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>13 to 31...We said were going to hear those numbers at Jordan-hare more times than people could count..To have it all taken away from him...</p>— Sean White (@SeanWhiteAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanWhiteAU/status/544140139216510977">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>They got my brother . Lord be with US</p>— TriggaTray (@Trigga_Tray28) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trigga_Tray28/status/544068657052405760">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Feel so sick knowing that my boy called me last night and then the next min I hear the terrible news about him .</p>— TriggaTray (@Trigga_Tray28) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trigga_Tray28/status/544143043474251776">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Auburn Family is grieving the loss of a teammate & friend Jakell Mitchell. We are praying for his family. <a href="http://t.co/ZC5PP2nJ6u">pic.twitter.com/ZC5PP2nJ6u</a></p>— Jay Jacobs (@jayjacobsauad) <a href="https://twitter.com/jayjacobsauad/status/544141625451368448">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>R.I.P Jakell Mitchell</p>— carl lawson (@carllawson14) <a href="https://twitter.com/carllawson14/status/544136174378696705">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Never without a smile,loyalty to those he loved, courage, compassion, & an angel in heaven. RIP Jakell, my best friend. Words arent enough </p>— Sean White (@SeanWhiteAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanWhiteAU/status/544139530379722752">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>My heart aches for Mitchell family.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPJAKELL?src=hash">#RIPJAKELL</a></p>— Jonathan Wallace (@JWall_4) <a href="https://twitter.com/JWall_4/status/544139577360150528">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>My heart breaks for Jakell Mitchell and his family, please pray for them <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP31?src=hash">#RIP31</a></p>— Alex Kozan (@AlexKozan) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKozan/status/544139196462804992">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Praying for Jakell family and praying for strength of these this team Jakell was a brother gone too soon </p>— Chad Slade (@ChadSlade62) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSlade62/status/544138986588221442">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Can't be happening... That's like my brother man..can't be true</p>— Tre' Williams✌️✋☝️ (@Trew30_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trew30_/status/544053516378333185">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Thoughts & prayers today with <a href="https://twitter.com/outbackbowl">@outbackbowl</a> opponent <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> after the tragedy last night.</p>— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/544133072401489920">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sad day for the Mitchell & Auburn Families as we lost a Son & Bro. Please keep both in your thoughts & prayers! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPJAKELL?src=hash">#RIPJAKELL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AuburnFamily?src=hash">#AuburnFamily</a></p>— Rodney Garner (@coachg76) <a href="https://twitter.com/coachg76/status/544132156147396608">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>My boy was just talking about how good it feel to be back. thats our brother man i cant understand why. i love you bro <a href="https://twitter.com/AuCommit9_">@AuCommit9_</a> love you </p>— Stanton tru (@TRUitt_thaTRUth) <a href="https://twitter.com/TRUitt_thaTRUth/status/544129138391793664">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Prayers go out to Jakell Mitchell's family.</p>— KT Harrell (@KtHarrell1) <a href="https://twitter.com/KtHarrell1/status/544117549789884416">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jakell's family and friends. Auburn encourages those in need to contact the Division of Student Affairs.</p>— Auburn University (@AuburnU) <a href="https://twitter.com/AuburnU/status/544119217344483329">December 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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