According to the NYPost, University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles allegedly shot and killed a 23-year-old mom of one, Jamea Jonae Harris, because she had brushed him off.
“Took my baby’s life because she wouldn’t talk to him,” DeCarla Cotton, Jamea’s devastated mom, said on Facebook, where she posted a picture of her late daughter and her five-year-old son, Kaine.
Jamea Jonae Harris was gunned down early Sunday when Darius Miles, 21, allegedly opened fire at a car she was riding in near “The Strip,” an area near the school’s campus, officials said.
Police identified Darius Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, 20, from Charles County, Maryland, as suspects in the shooting after they reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed numerous witnesses.
The two were charged with capital murder.
After his arrest, Miles, 21, was immediately removed from the basketball team, the school said in a statement to AP News.
“We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” the university said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the quick and thorough response of law enforcement and emergency response teams, and we will continue to fully support the ongoing investigation. We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles; he has been removed from campus and is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team,” they said of the Washington, D.C. native.
Local affiliate ABC 33/40 said that the diver of the victim’s vehicle drove to find help and found a UAPD police officer near Bryant-Denny stadium.
The driver informed local authorities that they fired back in self-defense, hitting one of the suspects, who appeared to have a non-life-threatening injury. After interviewing witnesses in the area and checking surveillance footage, they found and arrested both suspects, who remain in jail without bond.
“It appears at this time that the shooting was the result of a minor argument that occurred between the victims and suspects after they encountered each other along The Strip,” Tuscaloosa police Capt. Jack Kennedy said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up by DeCarla Cotton to help raise funds for Jamea’s son.
“I was asked to up this fundraiser to assist with the care of my daughter’s son Kaine,” DeCarla wrote.
“Her life was taken from her at the young age of 23 in a senseless cowardly act. She leaves behind a five-year-old son that will never know how beautiful his mother was inside and out. She had a heart of gold and was loved by all. It’s no way to express how much she will be missed! I thank everyone that has reached out with their prayers and condolences, and I appreciate however you would like to help.”
SMH
May she rest in peace.
