Vigil Planned for Auburn Football Player Killed in Shooting
Friends and family will come together Monday night for a vigil to honor the life of Jakell Mitchell. Mitchell, a freshman who was redshirting this season, was shot and killed at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex. It happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Tiger Lodge is the same complex where player Edward Christian and former player Ladarious Phillips were shot and killed at a party In June of 2012. At the time, the complex was known as University Heights. It has been renamed since the previous shooting. Hours after the shooting, authorities arrested 22-year old Markale Deandra Hart in connection with the shooting. Hart will make his first court appearance Monday at 3p.m. Mitchell was a three star prospect out of Opelika who was expected to compete for playing time as an H-back/tight end in the spring and fall. This makes four Auburn football players killed in the past two and a half years with the shooting at this complex in 2012 and the death of Philip Lutzenkirchen in a car accident just before the start of this season. The Auburn Athletic Department released the following statements: Head Coach Gus Malzahn “I‘m devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell‘s family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon.” Athletic Director Jay Jacobs “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jakell Mitchell‘s family and those who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy. This is a very trying time for those close to Jakell, including the student-athletes, coaches, staff and Auburn Family. We will provide counseling and support and do everything we can to help them through the grieving process.” Monday’s vigil will be at 6p.m. in downtown Opelika.
