News

Deposition kicks off Updyke trial week

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR | June 18

The Updyke trial is just beginning and already tempers are rising.

Communities gather to remember shooting victims taken 'in the prime of their lives'

By Zeke Turrentine/COMMUNITY BEAT REPORTER | June 17

Three separate groups of families, friends and communities gathered over the weekend to bid farewell to their slain son, grandson, brother, father, cousin and friend.

Updyke confessed his guilt at the Lee County Justice Center in 2013.

Updyke in 'fragile' health that may affect trial

By Zeke Turrentine / COMMUNITY BEAT REPORTER | June 15

Late Thursday night Harvey Updyke's legal team filed a notice with the Lee County Circuit Court saying they had just received word that the accused Toomer's Corner tree poisoner was in poor health that "may affect the defendant's ability to participate in the scheduled proceedings."

Gene Chizik, left, and Trooper Taylor bow their heads in a moment of silence for former football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian at a candlelight vigil in their honor Thursday night. (Courtesy of Rebecca Croomes)

Students lean on each other in time of tragedy

By John Burns / WRITER | June 14

"Lean on me" was the theme of Thursday night's candle light vigil in honor of deceased Auburn football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian.

Susan James, Desmonte Leonard's lawyer, spoke to the press Thursday and said she, as well as lawyer Jeffery Duffey, will be handling Leonard's defense.

Indictment 'a ways down the road' for suspect Desmonte Leonard

By Robert E. Lee / Editor-In-Chief | June 14

At a press conference this afternoon at the Russell County Courthouse in Phenix City, Desmonte Leonard's lawyer Susan James said she wants Leonard's trial moved out of Lee County.

Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson announced on Tuesday night that alleged gunman Desmonte Leonard turned himself in to the Montgomery Federal Courthouse after nearly three days of searching. Leonard is suspected of killing two former Auburn football players and one Auburn resident late Saturday night. (Danielle Lowe / PHOTO EDITOR)

SENSELESS: "...the most important thing to remember is the families of the victims."

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR | June 14

After two former Auburn football players and one Auburn resident were killed Saturday night, Desmonte Leonard, suspect in the fatal shooting, surrendered and is in custody

Police continued to stand watch the day after the shooting at the University Heights apartment complex on West Longleaf Avenue. (Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR)

The "height" of violence

By Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR | June 14

Saturday night's shooting was the second violent assault by a gunman at the University Heights apartment complex in three months

Phones stay silent as AU is alert

By Anna Claire Conrad | Copy Editor | June 14

The events that unfolded Saturday at University Heights on West Longleaf Drive were shocking, confusing and heartbreaking.

Behind the suspects

By TJ Harlin / CAMPUS EDITOR | June 14

Profiling the pasts of the alleged suspects in Saturday's shooting

Leonard to be brought to Lee County, arraigned tomorrow morning

By Zeke Turrentine / COMMUNITY BEAT REPORTER | June 13

Alleged Auburn shooter Desmonte Leonard will be arraigned after arriving at the Lee County Justice Center Thursday morning sometime around 9 a.m. said Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson.

Desmonte Leonard turned himself in to authorities last night at 7:57 p.m. to Montgomery officials.

Desmonte Leonard in custody

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR, Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR | June 13

Desmonte Leonard has turned himself in to the Montgomery Federal Courthouse.

Gene Chizik said he is doing "whatever I can" for the victims and their families.

Chizik addresses media for first time since shooting

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR | June 12

In Auburn coach Gene Chizik's first press conference since the deaths of Demario Pitts and former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips, he emphasized one thing above all else: this is not about football.

Ladarious Phillips, Edward Christian, Demario Pitts funerals announced

By Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR, Rebecca Moseley / CAMPUS BEAT REPORTER | June 12

The funeral arrangements for Ladarious Phillips, Edward Christian and Demario Pitts were announced earlier today.

Desmonte Leonard, 22, of Montgomery, wanted for fatally shooting three people, including two former Auburn University football players, and wounding another three people during a party at the University Heights apartment complex on the night of June 9.

Police expand manhunt to include alleged Auburn shooter accomplice

By Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR | June 12

Police are now expanding the manhunt for alleged Auburn shooter, Desmonte Leonard, to include an accomplice.

Auburn police chief says reports of wrong house false, search continues for Desmonte Leonard

By Robert E. Lee / Editor-In-Chief, Melody Kitchens / Managing Editor, Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR | June 12

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

Authorities leave, postpone search of Montgomery home

By Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR, TJ Harlin / CAMPUS EDITOR | June 12

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

Auburn Police, U.S. Marshals, local authorities surround home in east Montgomery

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR | June 11

An Auburn Police cruiser is among multiple authorities surrounding a Montgomery home in what could be in connection with Saturday night's triple homicide that occurred at the University Heights apartment complex in Auburn.

Two men arrested in connection with Auburn triple homicide

By Nathan Simone / ONLINE EDITOR | June 11

Two men have been arrested in suspected connection to the University Heights shooting that occurred late Saturday, June 9.

Photo of Gabriel Thomas, arrested for allegedly providing false information to police and hindering prosecution. (Courtesy of montgomerysheriff.com)

3 dead, 3 injured in University Heights shooting

By Melody Kitchens / MANAGING EDITOR | June 10

Former Auburn football players Ed Christian, Ladarious Phillips and Auburn resident Demario Pitts were shot and killed Saturday night at University Heights apartment complex on West Longleaf Drive.

Auburn awaits an official statement from city officials after a shooting at University Heights apartment complex on West Longleaf Drive Saturday night. (Danielle Lowe / PHOTO EDITOR)

Two dead, several injured in apartment shooting

By Andrew Yawn / COMMUNITY EDITOR and Melody Kitchens / MANAGING EDITOR | June 10

Two former Auburn football players have been confirmed dead in an apartment shooting early this morning. A press conference has been scheduled for 1 p.m.