Police have already made an arrest in the tragic case of Auburn tight end Jakell Mitchell.
Auburn police found Mitchell early Sunday morning in the passenger seat of a car with apparent gunshot wounds and, tragically, was pronounced dead soon thereafter, according to a statement released later Sunday morning.
Less than 18 hours after the murder, Auburn police, working in conjunction with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson Gap police, arrested 22-year-old suspect Markale Hart, according to Brandon Marcello of AL.com. Hart was found in Dadeville, Ala. Auburn police say no further arrests are anticipated at this time, and Hart is being held in Lee County Jail on $150,000 bond.
A native of nearby Opelika, Ala., Mitchell was a three-star recruit that redshirted the 2014 season and was expected to compete for playing time in 2015 following the departures of seniors Brandon Fulse and C.J. Uzomah.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Mitchell’s memory on Monday evening in Opelika.
Head coach Gus Malzahn and athletics director Jay Jacobs both issued statements following Mitchell’s passing.Statement from @CoachGusMalzahn and @jayjacobsauad regarding the passing of freshman FB player Jakell Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/Yi1bzoU6tt
— Kirk Sampson (@AuburnSID) December 14, 2014