Univ. of Alabama basketball player charged with capital murder after 23-year-old mom is fatally shot

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (TCD) -- Two men have been arrested after a 23-year-old Birmingham woman was fatally shot over the weekend as she sat in a car.

According to WVTM-TV, on Sunday, Jan. 15, at approximately 1:45 a.m., a man flagged down a University of Alabama Police officer at Bryant-Denny Stadium's Walk of Champions and said the passenger in his car, Jamea Harris, had been shot and killed. The driver reportedly said he returned fire and struck one of the suspects.

Tuscaloosa Police and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit also responded to the scene for assistance.

WBRC-TV reports the driver, who was not identified, told police the shooting occurred on Grace Street near University Boulevard.

Police reportedly soon identified 21-year-old Darius Miles and 20-year-old Michael Davis as suspects and arrested them both on capital murder charges. They were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

Miles played on the University of Alabama basketball team, was released from the squad following his arrest, according to a statement from the school. The Crimson Tide are currently ranked No. 4 in the country in basketball.

Capt. Jack Kennedy with the Violent Crimes Unit told WBRC investigators believe Miles, Davis, Harris, and the driver "had an encounter" and "got into some altercation as they were out and about," which led to Harris getting fatally shot.

Miles' attorney, William White, wrote in a statement, "Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight over the death of Jamea Jonae Harris. While Darius has been accused of being involved with this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court. Our firm’s own investigation is ongoing, and no further statement will be made at this time."

Harris' mother, DeCarla Cotton, described Harris to AL.com as a "beautiful young woman who loved her family and most of all her 5-year-old son Kaine."

Cotton said Harris was "just trying to enjoy her weekend with her cousin that attends the University of Alabama and her boyfriend.”

Harris' cousin, Kennedi Henderson, told AL.com, "She was a humble soul, and she was always a happy soul."

MORE:

• UA basketball player arrested in woman's shooting death near The Strip in Tuscaloosa - WVTM
• Alabama men’s basketball player charged with capital murder in Sunday morning shooting - WBRC
• Statement regarding arrest of UA student-athlete - University of Alabama 
• Mother, 23, killed on Strip in Tuscaloosa was 'beautiful young woman who loved her family' - AL.com
• Tuscaloosa County Jail inmate information