3 killed, 3 wounded in shooting near Auburn University

David Goldman / AP

Mourners walk out of a housing complex Sunday at the scene of an overnight shooting in Auburn, Ala.

By msnbc.com staff and news services

Updated at 3:05 p.m. ET:?Three people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting during a party at an apartment complex near Auburn University, Alabama?authorities said?Sunday. Among the dead were two Auburn students who had been on the football team.? ?

A manhunt was underway Sunday for suspected gunman, identified by police as?Desmonte Leonard of? Montgomery, Ala.

The dead were Edward Christian, 20, a football player who was out this season due to injuries; LaDarious Phillips, 20, a former football player; and Demario Pitts, 20, of Auburn.

The shooting happened late Saturday night at the University Heights apartments, a large?complex near campus where many of Auburn University's students and athletes live. Leonard is suspected of pulling a gun after a fight broke out, shooting six before fleeing, Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said at a news conference on Sunday.

When police arrived, Christian was found dead on the sidewalk. Phillips and Pitts were transported to the hospital, where they later died.

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Among the three wounded is John Robertson, 20, who is fighting for his life after being shot in the head, Dawson said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon. Xavier Moss, 19, was released from the hospital and Eric Mack, 20,?was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police believe Leonard drove away from the scene in a white Chevrolet Caprice, which was later found abandoned.

Auburn Police Division Chief Tommy Dawson provided details about the shooting at an apartment complex near Auburn University that killed three and wounded three others. Two of the dead were Auburn University students who had been on the football team.

"I don't believe it was targeted. It was a fight and someone got carried away," Dawson said of the shooting.?"I don't like the word random when it comes to shootings, but it was a fight that obviously got out of hand."

Asked about connections to the football team, Dawson said, "The only connection to the football team is that they are the victims of a brutal shooting. Sometimes the young men get a bad rap, I feel, but they're the victims today."

"This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men, including two that I personally knew in Ed Christian and LaDarious Phillips and my heart goes out to their families," Auburn coach Coach Gene Chizik?said i a statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of the victims involved in this tragic incident. Nobody should ever have to endure such unimaginable grief, and we will love and support the victims' families during this terribly difficult time. We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we're going to do everything we can to help them get through this."

A witness told The Associated Press the shooting happened when a fight broke out during a pool party at the apartment complex.

Turquorius Vines, 23, said he was at the pool party Saturday evening with one of his friend, Pitts. He said he and his friend were approached by two other men who started arguing with them over a woman.

Vines said he punched one of the men, while Pitts hit both of the men over the head with a bottle. Either one or both of the two men then started shooting, he said. He said his friend was shot and killed, while two others also were hit by gunfire. Vines said he had never before seen the men who he had been arguing with.

"It's like I lost a lung," Vines said of his friend. "I don't know how I'm going to survive this."

It appeared that the shooting happened in an archway near the apartment complex information center, near the edge of the parking lot. Five uniformed officers guarded the area, which was sealed off with crime scene tape, and a handful of crime scene investigators were at work.

Mack, the wounded player, is a junior offensive lineman from St. Matthews, S.C. He played in five games last season. Chizik said Mack was expected to make a full recovery.

Christian is an offensive lineman who was out last season while dealing with a back injury. Phillips was a backup fullback. Chizik said in April that Phillips had decided to give up football.

"We're deeply saddened about last night's tragic events that impacted the Auburn community and the Auburn family. Our heart-felt condolences go out to the victims and their families," Auburn University President Jay Gogue said in a statement.?Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We're in constant contact with area authorities and will continue to assist in any way possible. Our attention is now focused on providing care and support to those touched by this tragedy."

Msnbc.com's Isolde Raftery and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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