Darius Miles, former Alabama basketball player, charged with killing Jamea Jonae Harris: What we know today
Darius Miles, a 21-year-old former University of Alabama basketball player, was charged with capital murder in a deadly Sunday morning shooting on the Strip in Tuscaloosa.
Jamea Jonae Harris, a 23-year-old Birmingham woman and mother to a 5-year-old boy, was killed in the shooting.
Also charged with capital murder in the case is Michael Lynn Davis, 20, of Maryland.
Here’s a look at what we know today.
The deadly Tuscaloosa shooting happened about 1:45 a.m. Sunday.
Harris was in a vehicle in the area of Grace Street and University Boulevard when the gunfire erupted. 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 upon sighting a UA police vehicle.
Harris was dead inside the vehicle.
The driver told police their vehicle had been struck by gunfire. The driver said he had returned fire in self-defense and may have struck a suspect.
Two suspects were located and interviewed. One suspect had been struck by gunfire and had a non-life-threatening wound.
Police said “the shooting was the result of a minor argument that occurred between the victims and suspects after they encountered each other along the strip.”
Miles’ player biography page was removed from the Alabama athletics website Sunday. The school later issued a statement saying he had been “removed from campus” and was no longer a member of the basketball team.
Miles spent the past two-and-a-half seasons as mostly a bench player for Alabama. He appeared in 53 games, making two starts that both came during his sophomore season in 2021-22.
This season, Miles’ role had diminished. He played seven minutes off the bench in the Tide’s season opener Nov. 7 against Longwood but then missed the next four games because of an ankle injury.
Miles’ playing time was sparse after his return.
He appeared on the court in athletic clothes for Alabama’s pre-game warmups ahead of its game Saturday against LSU in Coleman Coliseum, but an hour before tip-off, Alabama issued a statement about Miles.
“Alabama men’s basketball announced that junior Darius Miles will be sidelined for the rest of the season with an ankle injury,” the statement read.
A little more than 24 hours after the shooting, Miles was being led in handcuffs into the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Miles appeared to be crying during a perp walk and said, “I love you,’’ and “I love you more than you can imagine,’’ several times to someone standing outside the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
“Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight over the death of Jamea Jonae Harris,’’ according to a statement released by his team of lawyers.
“While Darius has been accused of being involved with this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court.”
Who is Jamea Jonae Harris?
“She was a beautiful young woman who loved her family and most of all her 5-year-old son Kaine,’’ her mother DeCarla Cotton told AL.com. “She was just trying to enjoy her weekend with her cousin that attends the University of Alabama and her boyfriend.”
A GoFundMe page was launched by the mother.
The description of the fundraiser reads: “I was asked to up this fundraiser to assist with the care of my daughters son Kaine,”. Her life was taken from her at the young age of 23 in a senseless cowardly act . She leaves behind a five year old son that will never know how beautiful his mother was inside and out. She had a heart of gold and was loved by all. It’s no way to express how much she will be missed! I thank everyone that has reached out with their prayers and condolences and I appreciate however you would like to help.”
What Coach Nate Oats had to say:
At a pregame Nate Oats news conference before the No. 4 Crimson Tide heads to Vanderbilt, the coach offered condolences to the victim’s family.
“A daughter and mother who was taken way too soon from a senseless act. This is an incredibly sad situation and our hearts go out to the loved ones,” Oats said.
Oats said Miles’ early-season absence to deal with “a personal matter” was unrelated to anything that happened Sunday morning.
“He actually went back home to [Washington] D.C. to deal with the personal matter that he was out a couple of weeks with,” Oats said Monday. “He had the ankle injury. It was kind of ongoing. He’s had multiple issues. They were all completely unrelated to this incident Saturday, though, or Sunday morning.”
Oats said he spoke 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 came together last night and talked,” Oats said. “I thought it was important that we were all here and around to support one another through this situation. With this being a pending investigation, there’s nothing more I can add that hasn’t already been shared.”
Alabama (15-2, 5-0 SEC) will face Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday in Nashville.
The team’s full remaining roster will play.
Several current and former teammates took to social media to react to the events of Sunday.
In a statement Sunday, the university said help is available to any who need it.
“The University offers comprehensive emotional and mental health support resources. Through the holiday, members of the campus community can call UAPD at 205-348-5454 to reach the dean for support or to connect with emergency counseling services. On weekdays, the Counseling Center is available for students at 205-348-3863. Student Care and Well-Being can be reached at 205-348-2461, and faculty and staff have access to the Employee Assistance Program by calling 800-925-5327.”