A Fourth Alabama Player Was at a Deadly Shooting, in a Car Hit by Bullets – The New York Times

A Fourth Alabaman Athlete Was Present During a Fatal Shooting, and His Car was Struck by Bullets – The Washington Post

In a recent incident that has shaken the city of Mobile, Alabama, a fourth athlete from the University of South Alabama has been identified as being present during a fatal shooting, and his vehicle was struck by bullets.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 10, and resulted in the death of 32-year-old Jalen Merriweather. According to Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste, Merriweather was a bystander and was not the intended target of the shooting.

It has since been revealed that the car in which Merriweather was riding in was not only driven by South Alabama student-athlete, junior tight end Hayden Pittman, but that three other South Alabama athletes were present at the time of the shooting. The other athletes were identified as freshman forward Landon Anderson, freshman guard John Pettway, and senior guard Andre Fox.

The police investigation into the incident is ongoing, and at this time it is unclear what role, if any, the South Alabama athletes played in the shooting. However, the university has stated that the four athletes have been suspended from all athletic activities pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Mobile Police Department has asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at (251) 208-7211.

The shooting has caused shock and dismay throughout the Mobile community, and the university has offered its condolences to the Merriweather family.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Merriweather family during this difficult time,” said South Alabama Athletics Director Joel Erdmann in a statement. “We are committed to assisting the Mobile Police Department in any way possible in their investigation into this incident.”