Police on Auburn shooting suspect: 'We're going to apprehend him'

Authorities in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday defended their hunt for Desmonte Leonard, the man charged with fatally shooting three people at a party near Auburn University, NBC station WSFA in Auburn reported.

"We have not rested, we will not rest," Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said at a news conference Tuesday. "If he's out there watching today, I implore him, this has gone on long enough."

On Monday and early Tuesday, police searched a house in Montgomery, using thermal imaging to see if anyone was in the attic. Police said they thought they heard someone coughing, but nothing was found, WSFA reported.


Dawson said authorities received a tip from someone who said they dropped Leonard off at the home, and then received a 911 call indicating that he was inside. He said the tips were independent from each other. 

Montgomery Police Chief Kevin Murphy told reporters that "whoever dropped him off knew they were a suspect and were aiding him." That person could possibly face charges Murphy said, WSFA reported. 

Dawson said that an earlier Reuters report that authorities searched the wrong house is false.

At the press conference, Dawson said police are still at the home. He reiterated that he believes the suspect is still in Montgomery, WSFA reported.  

He said that he spoke with Leonard's mother and that she told him if he contacted her she would alert the police. Dawson said that she is urging her son to turn himself in, WSFA reported.

Authorities noted that Leonard's face and name have been all over the news media since Saturday. 

 "Doesn't matter where he's at," Dawson told reporters. "We've got the FBI on this case and U.S. marshals." 

A reward for his capture is up to $30,000, thanks to commitments from Auburn University and the city of Montgomery, WSFA reported. 

"We're going to apprehend him sooner or later," Dawson said. "I implore him to turn himself in."

Leonard is charged with three counts of murder in a shooting during a pool party at the University Heights apartments Saturday in Auburn. He's accused of pulling out a gun after a fight broke out. Two of those killed were former Auburn football players. In addition, he's accused of wounding three others, one of whom is in critical condition with a head wound. The others have been released from the hospital. 

Dawson said he believes the fight was about a girl. 

Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Gabriel Thomas, 41, was arrested Sunday and accused of giving false information to police, and Jeremy Thomas, 18, is accused of hindering prosecution, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. 

Two of those killed, Edward Christian, 20, and Ladarious Phillips, 20, were students and former football players for the  Auburn Tigers. Christian played offensive lineman and Phillips was a backup fullback who gave up football in April, according to a coach. 

Also killed was DeMario Pitts, 20. 

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Discuss this post

Shoot 1st ask questions later!

  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:33 PM EDT
Reply

He shot these people over a girl, how desperate do you gotta be???

  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:34 PM EDT

He won't have to worry about girls where he's going.

  • 1 vote
#2.1 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:00 PM EDT
Reply

Looks like a son of obama would look.

  • 8 votes
Reply#3 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:35 PM EDT

both the shooter and the shot

  • 1 vote
#3.1 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

Not nice "nothing new here"

  • 1 vote
#3.2 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:06 PM EDT
Reply

To hell with apprehend, gun this low life down on sight. What comes around goes around beeeeeoootchhhhhhhhh.

  • 4 votes
Reply#4 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:35 PM EDT

"If he's out there watching today, I implore him, this has gone on long enough." Translation is we don't know where he is .

  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:37 PM EDT

Guns and fools do not mix......

  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:39 PM EDT

To think that is someone son and those poor boys were also someone's son.With all the killing going on with these young kids, they ought to make them go fight in a war like they done during the VietNam War. And they should make them do it free of charge.

  • 2 votes
Reply#7 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:45 PM EDT

stop delaying the inevitable. life is hellon th run. get it over with....

  • 1 vote
Reply#8 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:45 PM EDT

waiting to hear Sharpton and Jackson to start defending him

  • 6 votes
Reply#9 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:45 PM EDT

Exactly what I was going to type. Where is Sharpton, Jackson and the Black Panthers at? Oh, that's right it is okay for "blacks" to kill other "blacks," and it is entirely okay for "blacks" to kill "whites." Sharpton, Jackson, and the Black Panthers ain't got nothing to say now, they are all too busy harassing the Zimmermans in Florida!

  • 4 votes
#9.1 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:52 PM EDT
Reply

People the cops down here are like the blind leading the blind. Tommy Dawson couldnt find his butt with both hands in a dark room. The Mayor of Montogomery loves to have his face in the camera. Right now it's a contest to see who get more face time. The guy wasnt in the attic but they said all night he was, The FBI says they had the wrong house, I wonder if we can get the Three stooges to come look for this guy !!!!!

    Reply#10 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:48 PM EDT

    Of course they don't know where he is - that's why he said that. They are trying to get him to turn himself in so another life won't be taken WHEN they find him.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#11 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:49 PM EDT

    He must be a Tide fan.

      Reply#12 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

      well i love women but there not worth the murder they all got the same equipment if u stood all the women on there heads they'd all look alike 4 real guys

        Reply#13 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

        Um No.

          #13.1 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:56 PM EDT

          Phil

          You have been on the farm too long. Roseane Barr will never look like Salma Hayak, no matter how much beer I drink.

            #13.2 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:32 PM EDT
            Reply

            it 's gon'a be a killer day...

              Reply#14 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:55 PM EDT

              It is amazing that they had one line for the non athlete that was killed I guess being a college football player makes your life more important. DeMario Pitts lost his life I am sure he was important to at least his family. I will think about him.

                Reply#15 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:00 PM EDT

                Cash Reward for arrest! bring back the draft for 18-24 year olds not in school .

                • 1 vote
                Reply#16 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:02 PM EDT

                COME ON PEOPLE! These dudes who were killed were not national treasures. Why the hell is this news so f'n important? Kids get gunned down all over the country and dont even make the newspapers. Why are these guys so important? Then the fact that they were football players... The type of people who get "big headed" and become bullys because they are big. The lil guy who did the shooting was probably flirting with one of their girlfriend and they thought they were going to jump on the kid. Guess what? All ya juiced up jocks need to realise pick and choose your fights wisely because humans aint bullet proof.

                  Reply#17 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:03 PM EDT

                  Well I guess that these guys will not be "playing football, driving a Hummer, and having a white bitch watch there children".

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#18 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:09 PM EDT

                  Al and Jesse should just ask him to surrender, problem solved. Where are those two? They have been unusually quiet lately.

                    Reply#19 - Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:29 PM EDT
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