Montgomery, AL (Sports Network) - The suspect in the shooting deaths of two
former Auburn football players over the weekend turned himself in to
authorities Tuesday night.
Desmonte D. Leonard, 22, is accused of shooting six people near the Auburn
campus on Saturday night, killing three.
Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said Leonard, through his attorney, turned
himself in around 8 p.m. local time to Montgomery County Sheriff D.T.
Marshall.
Dawson said Leonard is charged with three counts of capital murder, two counts
of first-degree assault. Dawson added that Leonard will be held without bond
in the Montgomery County jail.
"It's a relief we have him in custody," Dawson said. "We can wrap up loose
ends and proceed, but in some sense in a case like this there is no relief
because those boys aren't coming home. I know I've said it a lot, but I mean
it.
"At the same time, Mr. Leonard has a mama and I'm sure she's grieving just as
well. In a sense, she's lost a son. Everybody's got a mama, and mama always
loves you."
Former players Edward Christian and LaDarious Phillips, both 20, were among
the three killed in the shooting while current offensive lineman Eric Mack was
wounded and is expected to fully recover. Auburn resident Demario Pitts, 20,
died at a hospital.
"I know your young men won't be coming home, but hopefully this arrest will
give you some closure," Dawson said in a message to the victims' parents.
"It's not over. We're going to continue to investigate this case. We'll never
forget the victims in this case."
On Monday night, authorities surrounded a house where Leonard was believed to
be hiding. Tear gas was deployed and people in the neighborhood in east
Montgomery were being asked to remain in their homes, but at the time law
enforcement came up empty-handed.
The Sports Network
You Might Be Interested In