Wednesday, Alabama basketball freshman Kai Spears was named as the fourth basketball player allegedly present at a fatal shooting near campus in Tuscaloosa on January 15.
The University of Alabama quickly denied the report, and now, Spears and his father, the athletics director for Marshall University, have come out with statements of their own, calling the New York Times' reporting "demonstrably false" and "100% inaccurate."
Christian Spears said in a Marshall University press release that he was "exploring all legal options" over the reporting.
"I am just incredibly disappointed in the irresponsible and demonstrably false reporting by the NY Times," Christian Spears stated. "We are exploring all legal options at this time. I will have no further comment, instead deferring to the University of Alabama's statement on the matter."
Kai Spears posted a statement to his Instagram account, thanking the university for backing him and saying he was still "heartbroken by the tragic death that occurred."
Statement from Alabama freshman basketball player Kai Spears on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/njuv8Mw6Rc
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 16, 2023
The other three players reportedly involved were now-former player Darius Miles, who has been indicted for capital murder along with his friend Michael "Buzz" Davis, Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley.
Miller and Bradley have not been charged for their involvement in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris and are viewed as witnesses.
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