Auburn shooting suspect surrenders
Desmonte Leonard, accused of killing three people, including two former Auburn football players, last weekend, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday with the help of a defense attorney.
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football coach Gene Chizik said his emotions during the last three days included “disbelief, outrage and devastation” since a gunman killed three men, including two former Auburn players, during a weekend party near campus.
“This has been an incredibly difficult 72 hours,” Chizik said Tuesday in his first comments since the shootings. “It’s hard to navigate these uncharted waters. It’s hard enough for grown adults . . . and we’ve got a whole team trying to figure this out.”
Six men were hit by gunfire late Saturday night when a man, whom police have identified as Desmonte Leonard of Montgomery, fired into a crowded apartment clubhouse.
Leonard, 22, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday night. Attorney Susan James said her office arranged for Leonard to turn himself in at a Montgomery courthouse after getting word his family wanted her help.
She said she contacted U.S. Marshals and then she and her son, who works for her as an investigator, picked up Leonard. She wouldn’t say where except that it was about 50 miles from Montgomery. They drove him to meet investigators.
Former Auburn lineman Eddie Christian died at the scene Saturday, and former fullback Ladarious Phillips died at an area hospital.
Another local resident, Demario Pitts, also died at the hospital.
Chizik said he spoke with Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson shortly after the incident, instructing all players to return home or another secure location. The coach later spoke with his former players’ families.
A team meeting was held Sunday evening, less than 24 hours after the deadly shooting, where Chizik encouraged players to grieve in their own way.
Counselors were made available at that time, the coach said, and remain on site to assist with anyone affected by the tragedy.
“It’s a long road ahead of us,” Chizik said. “We’ve got a long road of grieving, and everybody has a different way of doing that.
“There were a lot of emotions spilled out. This is a grieving process. There’s no right and no wrong.”
Chizik said the university would provide transportation for players and athletic personnel to attend funeral services set for Friday and Saturday.
A current Auburn player, offensive lineman Eric Mack, was wounded in the shooting but was released from the hospital Sunday evening. Chizik said he expected Mack to make a full recovery.
Chizik said players were supposed to attend Tuesday’s news conference but said they were not ready to talk.