university of Alabama basketball players Darius Miles was charged with capital murder … after authorities said he and another man were involved in the shooting of a woman near campus on Sunday morning.
According to Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Jack KennedyThe fatal shooting took place on The Strip… a popular stretch of street near the school lined with bars and restaurants.
Kennedy said authorities were alerted to the shooting around 1:45 a.m. … after officers responded to a vehicle on the Walk of Champions at Bryant Denny Stadium.
Kennedy told media representatives of a 23-year-old woman in a Sunday night news conference: Jamesa HarrisShe was dead in the car. The driver of the vehicle, Kennedy said, told officers their car was hit by gunfire earlier in the night … adding that they fired back in self-defense.
According to Kennedy, police reviewed the surveillance video and questioned several witnesses – and identified Miles and the 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis, who does not belong to the Univ. from Alabama as suspects.
Both Miles and Davis were charged with capital murder … and arrested Sunday night.
Miles was seen sobbing outside the Tuscaloosa County Jail after the arrest and told someone at the scene, “I swear I love you more than you know.”
Kennedy said Miles and the alleged victims did not previously know each other … stating, “It appears at this point that the shooting was the result of a minor argument that took place between the victims and suspects after they met along the Strip.” . “
Miles played in six games for the Crimson Tide this season, recording nine points and nine rebounds. On Saturday, just hours before the shooting, the school had suspended him for the season because of an ankle injury.
As of Sunday night, his player profile page was removed from the university’s website.
“First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the victim of last night’s incident,” UA Athletics said in a statement Sunday night. “We have been made aware of the recent indictment against student athlete Darius Miles and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Athletics, in partnership with the university, is fully cooperating with this investigation.”
The school added in a statement of its own: “We are saddened by the incident that occurred near campus last night and offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.”