Tragedy struck Auburn football as former players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian were fatally shot outside an off-campus apartment complex late Saturday night. Current sophomore offensive lineman Eric Mack was also shot and remained hospitalized Sunday at East Alabama Medical Center in the nearby town of Opelika.
Mack, 20, even released the following on his Twitter page…
“I appreciate all the love and prayers for me and two lost homies. May god be with their families.”
According to reports, police received an emergency call from the University Heights Apartments at roughly 10:30PM local time. Upon their arrival, police found Edward Christian, 20, dead on the scene.
Christian left the football team early on in his career due to injury.
Former player Ladarious Phillips, 20, and Auburn resident Demario Pitts, 20, died later at the East Alabama Medical Center.
Phillips left the team last March due to personal reasons.
A manhunt is now underway in Montgomery, about 55 miles west of Auburn for 22-year-old Desmonte Leonard who is named the primary suspect and shooter in the incident.
Gene Chizik, Auburn head football coach, called it “a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family.” Chizik said he is “devastated” at the three deaths, including those of Christian and Phillips, who he knew personally.
“We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we’re going to do everything we can to help them get through this,” he said. “We are relieved that Eric Mack, who was also a victim in this incident, is expected to make a full recovery. This is a very trying time for everyone involved, and I would just ask that you lift up the victims and their families in your prayers.”
Here is an update from the Auburn Police Department
Auburn police confirm that former Auburn Tiger football players Edward Christian and Ladarious Phillips have both passed away as a result of gunshot wounds.
Christian, 20 years old, was deceased at the scene.
Phillips, 20 years old, was transported to a East Alabama Medical Center but was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Also deceased upon arrival at East Alabama Medical Center was Auburn student Demario Pitts, 20 years old.
Xavier Moss, 19 years old, was also transported to East Alabama Medical Center treated for gunshot wounds and released from the hospital.
John Robertson, 20 years old, is currently fighting for his life with a gunshot wound to the head.
Eric Mack, 20 years old, is currently being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at East Alabama Medical Center.Desmonte Leonard is the active suspect in the shootings. Two other persons of interest are asked to come forward along with Mr. Leonard.
A motive was not released, but Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson did confirm that the shooting took place at a party and that police are working with several other departments to find the suspect.
Ref: CNN.com, The Associated Press, AL.com
