Auburn Tigers redshirt freshman Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed early Sunday morning after being involved in an altercation outside of an apartment complex near the Auburn campus, police and news reports announced. Police Captain Will Matthews received information of the shooting at about 12:25 A.M. and went to the scene of the crime finding Mitchell wounded. The authorities rushed Matthews to a nearby hospital before pronouncing him dead.
No further information has been released or found regarding the incident, but the investigation is on going. More facts should become clear as the day progresses and any witnesses to the incident come forward.
Mitchell, just 18-years old, spent his high schoo career playing and attending nearby Opelika, where he starred at tight end and running back. After a junior campaign in which he ran for 392 yards and 17 touchdowns, Mitchell missed his entire senior season with a torn ACL and was expected to compete for a starting role with the Tigers next year.
The Tiger complex, extremely popular with students and where Mitchell was found, has a long history of violent activities including a 2012 shooting in which Desmonte Leonard was found guilty of killing two former Auburn players and one other person. Leonard was convicted of capital murder and could face life in prison or worse when he is sentenced on January 20.
On behalf of the entire Campus Sports staff, our thoughts and prayers are with Mitchell, his family, and the entire Auburn community. We wish you all the best in this difficult time and will continue to think of you each and every day.
*Section Photo (above) credit to Auburn; Featured Photo (above) credit to Albert Cesare, Opelika-Auburn News
