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Basketball star Darius Miles shot dead a ‘beautiful’ mother-of-one in a ‘random attack’ – with her mother claiming she had ‘refused to talk to him’.
Janae Harris, 23, had been visiting her boyfriend and cousin at the University of Alabama when the group became involved in a ‘minor altercation’ with Miles, 21, and Michael Lynn Davis, 20, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The mother-of-one was in the passenger seat of a car when she was shot and killed, with Tuscaloosa Police saying Miles and Davis opened fire into her car.
Authorities say that one of the suspects was struck by a bullet and injured by the driver of the car carrying Janae – who told cops that it was in ‘self-defense’.
Janae Harris, 23, (pictured with her son, Kaine) had been visiting her boyfriend and cousin at the University of Alabama when she was shot dead in a car on Sunday morning
Darius Miles, 21, has been charged with capital murder after the incident, with police saying there was a ‘minor altercation’ between the groups before the fatal shooting
Both Miles, from Washington DC, and Davis, from Maryland, have been charged with capital murder – which carries the possibility of the death penalty in Alabama.
Investigators say that the two parties had gotten into a minor argument on ‘The Strip’ – an area near the University campus – before the shooting happened at 1:45am.
Janae’s mother, DeCarla Cotton, claims that her daughter was attacked by Miles and Davis because she refused to speak to them while out.
Posting online she said: ‘Took my baby life because she wouldn’t talk to him! I will tell you that she was loved by all!
‘She was a beautiful young woman who loved her family and most of all, her five-year-old son Kaine!
‘She was just trying to enjoy her weekend with her cousin that attends the University of Alabama and her boyfriend.’
Darius Miles (left) and Michael Lynn Davis (right) , have been charged with capital murder – which carries the possibility of the death penalty in Alabama
Investigators say that the two parties had gotten into a minor argument on ‘The Strip’ – an area near the University campus – before the shooting happened at 1:45am
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the young mother by her family, who paid tribute to her as having a ‘heart of gold’.
Terrifying footage of the incident has been posted online, with witnesses heard screaming after gunshots were heard.
Ring doorbell video caught 11 shots being fired as two black cars sped past at high speed, and people could be heard shouting ‘Oh My God.’
It is unclear which gunshots in the video were fired by each involved party, and how many each shooter fired.
Janae, the driver of her vehicle and Davis do not appear to be affiliated to the University, according to law enforcement.
Tuscaloosa Police Captain Jack Kennedy said in a press conference on Sunday night: ‘At this time, it appears that the only motive was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on The Strip.
They didn’t have a previous relationship.’
Miles wept as he was perp-walked into a police car from Tuscaloosa County Jail as he was led out in handcuffs. Pictured playing against Jackson State in December
Ring doorbell video caught 11 shots being fired as two black cars sped past at high speed, and people could be heard shouting ‘Oh My God’
He added that the driver of the vehicle Janae was a passenger in approached campus police near Bryant-Denny Stadium after the incident saying someone had ‘shot into the vehicle.
Authorities say the driver admitted firing back, adding that he may have struck a suspect, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Police identified the two suspects after speaking to multiple witnesses and viewing video surveillance footage.
Miles wept as he was perp-walked into a police car from Tuscaloosa County Jail as he was led out in handcuffs.
He called out, ‘I swear I love you more than you can imagine’, though it is unclear exactly who he was talking to.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the young mother by her family, who paid tribute to her as having a ‘heart of gold’
The University of Alabama have confirmed that Miles is ‘no longer’ on their basketball team. Above is a stock image of the Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Authorities say the driver of the car carrying Janae admitted firing back, adding that he may have struck a suspect, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital
The junior forward was benched during the team’s game against Louisiana State University on Saturday, with the team announcing that he was out for the season with an ankle injury.
Prior to that, he had been away from the team with a ‘personal matter’ and coach Nate Oats had said on December 28 that he ‘wasn’t sure how long he’ll be out.’
He went on to add: ‘We’re supporting him through it and trying to help him through it. T
‘hat’s why he wasn’t on the bench tonight. It’s a personal matter, it’s not an injury and we’re not quite sure how long he’ll be out.’
Miles’ bio has since been removed from the athletic department website and the university said that he ‘has been removed from campus’ and is no longer on the team.
A spokesman for the University said: ‘The University of Alabama’s utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community.
‘We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.’
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