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A spirit that is not afraid

Authorities leave, postpone search of Montgomery home

The search of the Montgomery home thought to be occupied by alleged shooter Desmonte Leonard has been postponed.

A photographer from the Associated Press reported that all officers left the house around 2:25 a.m. this morning.

Auburn Police confirmed that there will be a media briefing on the hunt for Leonard at 10 a.m. at the Auburn Police Division located at 141 N. Ross St.

The Opelika-Auburn News will live stream the media briefing starting at 9:55 a.m. at http://www2.oanow.com/live

Statements from late last night still echo the frustration of this morning.

"Unfortunately, we're no different than where we were," Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said.

Strange talked with media about the fiberglass poles that are being utilized along with thermal imaging to try and coax the suspect out.

"We do not have any visual or verbal contact of who is in the attic, but we're going to find out using these poles to probe," Strange said.

Montgomery Director of Public Safety Chris Murphy also commented on the tactics being used to end the standoff.

"We're trying to accelerate the situation while also being as safe as possible," Murphy said.

The media has been advised to move to Young Meadows Presbyterian Church in light of recent storms in the area.

"It is a very uneasy feeling to know that a killer is hiding so close," said Jessica Kyser, resident of nearby neighborhood. "I won't feel safe until I know that he is behind bars in Auburn."

Two rounds of tear gas have been set off in the house, with no reply by the suspect.

Smoke was seen billowing from the house earlier, which was later confirmed to be tear gas by U.S. Marshal Jim Alston.

"We've been throwing gas in there so hopefully we'll bring him out," Alston said.

Police have spent days searching Montgomery for Leonard who is wanted for three counts of capital murder and have closed off the street at the current scene.

There is still no official word that it was Leonard in the house.

However, Sgt. Regina Duckett, public relations liaison for the Montgomery Police Department, said there is credible evidence that Leonard is in "one of the residences."

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