Markale Deandra Hart - A man suspected to have shot and killed Auburn freshman football player Jakell Mitchell has been arrested on Sunday - just hours after the fatal incident occurred.
The 22-year-old resident of Camp Hill, AL identified as Markale Deandra Hart was arrested by Auburn Police in collaboration with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff Department and Jackson Gap Police.
Auburn Police Chief Paul Register said he was arrested without confrontation at around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday close to Dadeville, 25 miles Northwest of Auburn.
Markale Deandra Hart faces murder felony charges and has since been transported to the Lee County jail after being held shortly at the Auburn Police Division center. Authorities say a day for his arraignment is yet to be decided. However, Hart is eligible for a $150,000 bond.
According to local sources, 18-year-old Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed on Sunday morning at an apartment complex close to the Auburn University campus.
Police reports say distress call were received at exactly 12:25 a.m. Jakell Mitchell is said to have been leaving the Tiger Lodge apartment complex located on West Longleaf Drive, when the shots rang out.
An altercation between two unidentified individuals is reported to have preceded the shooting.
Jakell Mitchell suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso and was immediately transported to the East Alabama Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Officials say an autopsy will be performed in Montgomery.
Capt. Lorenza Dorsey said the tight end/H-back was shot with a handgun. He has however declined to give specific information on how many shots were fired and what specific weapon was used.
"There is nothing to indicate it was gang-related at all," Dorsey said. "Just an altercation between two individuals."
Reports indicate that Jakell Mitchell had just graduated from Opelika High School, where he was a popular athlete and was loved. Auburn offered him a football scholarship.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jake Mitchell," said Dr. Mark Neighbors, superintendent of Opelika City Schools.
Authorities say grief counselors will be present at the Opelika High School this week to help students deal with Jakell Mitchell's untimely death.
Meanwhile Auburn University officials, including director of athletics Jay Jacobs and football coach Gus Malzahn have offered their condolences to the family and friends of Jakell Mitchell.
"I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell," Malzahn said. "My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy."
Reports indicate that there were dozens of people at apartment when the shooting occurred. It is unclear if there were any other casualties.
Tiger Lodge is the same building where three Auburn football players were shot and killed in June 2012. Three other people were wounded following the incident and Desmonte Lenorad was convicted of three counts of capital murder on Oct. 7. Lenorad is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 20.
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