Former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, has been charged with capital murder in connection with a fatal shooting on the Strip in Tuscaloosa Sunday morning.
Jameah Jonah Harris, 23, from Birmingham, and the mother of a 5-year-old boy, was killed as a result of the shooting.
Also charged in the case is Michael Lynn Davis, 20, of Maryland.
Here’s what we know today.
The shots
The fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa happened at 1:45 a.m. Sunday.
Harris was in a car in the area of Grace Street and University Boulevard when shots were fired. The driver, whose name has not been released, continued along University Boulevard.
Tuscaloosa police and University of Alabama police were dispatched to the Walk of Champions at Bryant Denny Stadium when a vehicle stopped there after seeing a UA police vehicle.
Harris was found dead inside the vehicle.
The driver told the police that a gun was fired at their car. The driver said he returned fire in self-defense and may have hit the suspect.
Two suspects were found and questioned. One suspect suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Police said “the shooting was the result of a minor dispute between the victims and the suspects after they encountered each other along the strip.”
Who is Darius Miles?
Miles’ player bio page was removed from the Alabama athletics website on Sunday. The school later released a statement saying he had been “dismissed from campus” and was no longer a member of the basketball team.
Miles spent the last two and a half seasons as a bench player at Alabama. He played in 53 games with two starts, both of which came in his sophomore season in 2021-22.
Miles’ role was reduced this season. He played 7 minutes off the bench against Longwood on Nov. 7, but then missed the next four games with an ankle injury.
Miles’ playing time has been scarce since his return.
He appeared on the court in a tracksuit for Alabama’s pregame warmups before Saturday’s game against LSU at Coleman Coliseum, but an hour before tipoff, Alabama released a statement about Miles.
“Alabama men’s basketball has announced that junior Darius Miles will be out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury,” it said in a statement.
A little more than 24 hours after the shooting, Miles was being led into the Tuscaloosa County Jail in handcuffs.
Miles appeared to be crying during the walk and said several times. “I love you” and “I love you more than you can imagine,” repeatedly to someone standing outside the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
“Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight over the passing of Jamea Jonah Harris,” his legal team said in a statement.
“While Darius is accused of being involved in this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court.”
Who is Jamea Jonah Harris?
“She was a beautiful young woman who loved her family and most of all her 5-year-old son Kane,” her mother, DeCarla Cotton, told AL.com. “She was just trying to enjoy her weekend with her cousin who attends the University of Alabama and her boyfriend.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by the mother.
The description of the fundraiser reads: “I was asked to organize this fundraiser to help with the care of my daughters son Kane.” His life was taken at the age of 23 in a senseless act of cowardice. She leaves behind a five-year-old son who will never know how beautiful his mother is inside and out. He had a heart of gold and was loved by all. There are no words to express how much she will be missed. I thank everyone who reached out with their prayers and condolences, and I appreciate how you want to help.”
What coach Nate Oates said:
In Nate Oats’ pregame press conference before the No. 4 Crimson Tide left for Vanderbilt, the coach offered his condolences to the victim’s family.
“A daughter and a mother who left too soon for a senseless act. This is an incredibly sad situation and our hearts go out to the loved ones,” Oates said.
Oates said Miles’ early-season absence to deal with a “personal matter” had nothing to do with anything that happened Sunday morning.
“He actually came back home [Washington] DC to deal with a personal matter that he’s been out for a few weeks,” Oates said on Monday. “He had an ankle injury. It was kind of continuous. He had many problems. They all had absolutely nothing to do with this incident on Saturday, however, or on Sunday morning.”
Oates said he has spoken with Miles’ mother since the arrest.
What does this mean for Alabama basketball?
A team meeting was called for Sunday evening to deal with the emotions surrounding the situation. Miles’ picture has been removed from Coleman Coliseum.
“We got together last night and talked,” Oates said. “I thought it was important that we were all here and around to support each other in this situation. As this is a pending investigation, there is nothing more I can add that has not already been shared.”
Alabama (15-2, 5-0 SEC) faces Vanderbilt on Tuesday at 7:30pm CT in Nashville.
The rest of the team’s full roster will play.
Several current and former teammates took to social media to react to Sunday’s events.
In a statement Sunday, the university said help is available to anyone who needs it.
“The university offers comprehensive emotional and mental health support resources. During the holiday, members of the campus community can call UAPD at 205-348-5454 to reach the dean for assistance or to contact emergency counseling services. During weekdays, the Counseling Center is available to students at 205-348-3863. Student Care and Welfare can be reached at 205-348-2461, and faculty and staff can access the Employee Assistance Program by calling 800-925-5327.”
