[View the story "Manhunt on for Montgomery man after Auburn shooting leaves three dead, three injured" on Storify ]Manhunt on for Montgomery man after Auburn shooting leaves three dead, three injured
Auburn and Montgomery police, state investigators and United States Marshals are searching for Desmonte Leonard of Montgomery, the lead suspect in the shooting deaths of three and wounding of three others at an Auburn apartment complex Saturday night, June 9.
Storified by Kyle Whitmire · Sun, Jun 10 2012 15:59:18
Photo of Desmonte Leonard, 22, of Montgomery, Alabama. Suspect in Auburn shootings. http://pic.twitter.com/FORZUSw4Ike Morgan
Auburn and Montgomery police, state investigators and United States Marshals are searching for Desmonte Leonard of Montgomery, the lead suspect in the shooting deaths of three and wounding of three others at an Auburn apartment complex Saturday night, June 9.
At a press conference Sunday afternoon, Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said that three murder warrants had already been issued for Leonard, who is considered to be armed and dangerous. Police have recovered a vehicle driven from the scene and later abandoned. In addition to Dawson, police are searching for two other persons of interest.
Dawson was reluctant to give many details from the shootings, other than to name Leonard as a suspect and to identify the victims of the shootings.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a witness said a fight erupted over a woman.
3 killed, 1 clings to life in Auburn shooting | ajc.comThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution AUBURN, Ala. — Three are dead from a Saturday night shooting and another clings to life as Auburn polic…
From the AJC report above:
Turquorius Vines, who is not a student at Auburn, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he was partying with several friends, including former Auburn football players, at the University Heights complex a couple of miles from campus shortly before midnight when the gunfire broke out.
“It was about a female,” Vines told the AJC Sunday morning. “It started from a female. We were trying to get away from the trouble and it ended up right in our face.”
Vines told the Associated Press that he and one of the victims got into a dispute with two men. He said he punched one of the men, and his friend broke a bottle over at least one of the men’s head.
Then, one or both of the men began shooting, Vines said.
In all there were six shooting victims from Saturday night, including two former Auburn University football players and one red-shirt team member. Fatalities included Edward Christian, 20; Ladarious Phillips, 20; and Demario Pitts, 20.
Another victim, John Robertson, 20, is fighting for his life at UAB hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, Dawson said.
Two others, sophomore Xavier Moss and Auburn offensive lineman Erick Mack suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Dawson said.
Who is Desmonte Leonard? Suspect in Auburn shooting has past arrests, recently sued for child supportAUBURN, Alabama — The subject of an "active manhunt" for his role in the shooting deaths of three people at an Auburn apartment complex …
Auburn PD: In all, six victims. Three dead, one in critical condition at UAB with gunshot wound to the head.The Second Front
Auburn PD: Three warrants for capital murder have been signed for Desmonte Leonard. Public is to consider him armed and dangerous.The Second Front
Auburn, state and federal authorities are in a manhunt for Desmonte Leonard, the lead suspect in Auburn shootings.The Second Front
Auburn PD: Hoping to make an arrest today, Montgomery PD and US Marshals looking for him now.The Second Front
This is the suspect, Desmonte Leonard. Manhunt going on now… http://yfrog.com/hwx6njkjJustin Hokanson
The suspect: Desmonte Leonard. http://pic.twitter.com/Lj5qsLmmHABOTN
Desmonte Leonard’s grandmother, contacted at the address listed on Leonard’s child-support documents, says MPD made a visit this morning.HABOTN
Grandmother claims Leonard doesn’t live there, but address is from documents filed in November.HABOTN
Please RT, maybe they can find this guy RT @auburnbeat: A photo of suspect Desmonte Leonard. http://bit.ly/JVEqSIB.J. Millican
Edward Christian, 20, was dead on the scene. Ladarious Phillips,20, &Demario Pitts, 20, were pronounced dead at East Alabama Medical CenterABC 33/40 News
Chief Dawson: "The young men were having a party and, unfortunately, were shot. There was nothing (negative) as to their character."Evan Woodbery
"I don’t believe they were targeted .I don’t like the word random when it comes to shooting. It was a fight that obviously got out of hand."Evan Woodbery
Court records indicate prior arrests for Desmonte Leonard for 2nd deg assault, theft of property, carrying pistol w/o permitLance Griffin
AU police: Two other unnamed suspects being sought… Says police, "They know who they are."Rick Karle
A car believed to be Leonard’s was recovered and is currently being searched. Police believe there will be an arrest today.ABC 33/40 News
We offer prayers and condolences for the Auburn community, the entire AU family, and all of those impacted by last night’s tragedy.Gov.Robert Bentley
Statements from Auburn’s Jacobs, Chizik http://on.mgmadv.com/LMHEaP #montgomery #alabamaMontgomeryAdvertiser
RT @AuburnU: Updated with statements from Coach Gene Chizik and Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs: http://bit.ly/KdhSldKara Kennedy
Very odd vibe at Auburn camps today. Such a feeling of sadness that you just can’t get around.Justin Hokanson
http://twitpic.com/9v23fpAndrew Salser
This Auburn tragedy isn’t about football. It’s about the senseless loss of young lives. Can we get that straight?Kevin Scarbinsky
