Jakell Mitchell Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

RIP Jakell Mitchell

(Twitter/@AuburnTigers)

The college football world is mourning the tragic death of Jakell Mitchell, an Auburn University football player who was shot and killed at an off-campus party early Sunday morning.

Mitchell, a freshman h-back who redshirted this past season and was expected to contend for a starting spot in 2015, was pronounced dead at a medical center near the university from multiple gunshot wounds. Police are treating his death as a homicide.

Here’s what we know so far:


1. Mitchell Was Shot & Killed at the Same Apartment Complex Where 2 Auburn Players Were Killed in 2012

RIP Jakell Mitchell


(Twitter/@sportsnaut)

Brandon Marcello, the Auburn beat writer at AL.com, reports that the shooting took place at about 12:25 a.m. Central time at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, on West Longleaf Drive, near the Auburn campus. Police were responding to a shots fired call.

OANow.com has reported that Mitchell was in the passenger seat of a car leaving the complex when police arrived. He was then transported by ambulance to the hospital.

“Mitchell was a passenger in a vehicle contacted leaving the area and was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.” — OANow.com

AL.com reported that a resident of the complex “said he heard six to seven gun shots and spotted four to five vehicles leaving the scene quickly.”

It’s not clear what initiated the shooting, which Auburn police are investigating.

The shooting took place at the same apartment complex where Auburn players Lararious Phillips and Ed Christian were among three people shot to death at a party in the summer of 2012.

Desmonte Leonard, the man identified as the shooter in the 2012 shooting, was later found guilty of three counts of capital murder. Leonard is expected to be sentenced Jan. 20.


2. Mitchell Was Pronounced Dead at a Nearby Medical Center

Jakell Mitchell

Jakell Mitchell poses with Auburn’s 2010 national championship trophy. (Facebook/JakellMitchell)

From Marcello’s report:

Mitchell was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center by ambulance with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lee County Coroner’s Office. He died shortly after arriving at the emergency room. The death is being treated as a homicide. An autopsy will be performed in Montgomery.


3. Auburn Police Are ‘Working to Apprehend the Suspect’

The university’s emergency management department tweeted that police are “working to apprehend the suspect.” The department didn’t release the suspect’s name or description, but said there’s no known active threat to the university’s campus.

Police were still at the scene gathering evidence hours later.

FoxSports.com reported that a red car with the license plate “Jakell” was seen being towed from the complex Sunday morning.


4. Mitchell Was Expected to Contend for a Starting Spot Next Year

Mitchell, a freshman h-back who redshirted this year, was expected to contend for a spot in the Tigers starting backfield in 2015. He sat this season out as a chance to gain weight before becoming a starter.

Mitchell was a star tight end at Opelika High School. You can hear him talk about his recruitment to Auburn in the video above from AL.com.

Mitchell missed his senior season because of a torn ACL, but was one of the best players in the state as a junior, putting him on college coaches’ radar.

From the Opelika-Auburn News’ Tom Green:

Mitchell was a former standout at Opelika High, where he became a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com. Mitchell missed his senior season at Opelika due to a torn ACL, but made a name for himself as a junior, when he rushed for 17 touchdowns and helped guide the Bulldogs to their first-ever appearance in the Super 6.

“This is a sad day,” Opelika coach Brian Blackmon told the Opelika-Auburn News early Sunday morning. “It’s terrible — terrible.”


5. The Auburn Community Is ‘Devastated and Saddened’ by Mitchell’s Death

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The following statements have been released from Auburn:

“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.” – Head Coach Gus Malzahn

“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.” – Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs

Auburn finished the season ranked 19th and will play the 17th ranked Badgers at 12 p.m. Eastern on New Year’s Day.