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Alabama denies New York Times report that Kai Spears was present during night of shooting

by:Austin Brezina•03/15/23•

AustinBrezina59

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Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Shortly after the New York Times reported that Alabama freshman Kai Spears was also present during the recent fatal shooting, Alabama denied the claim. The report in question stated that Spears, a freshman walk-on, was inside Brandon Miller’s car the night of the shooting that claimed 25-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris’s life.

Previously, the incident appeared to involve Miller and Jaden Bradley as fully cooperating witnesses with police as they investigated the involvement of former teammate Darius Miles. According to the report on Wednesday, Spears was also present that night in the vehicle when it was struck by gunfire.

Alabama athletics released a statement to the New York Time calling the report “inaccurate.”

“Your story is inaccurate,” read Alabama’s statement. “Based on the information we have, there were no current student-athletes present at the scene other than Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley, who are both fully cooperating witnesses. From the outset, UA Athletics has fully cooperated with law enforcement and supported their investigation.”

Alabama denies any involvement of Kai Spears in fatal shooting

The report from the New York Times came off the heels of a recent ESPN story that claimed there was a fourth person in the vehicle — an unnamed passenger. While the latest report indicated that the fourth person was Spears, Alabama’s denial seems very clear and to the point that their information was incorrect.

The news is the latest in a series of reports that continue to plague the Crimson Tide as they prepare to play in the NCAA Tournament as the top overall seed. The involvement of Brandon Miller has been one of the most talked about storylines of the season, as fans and rivals alike weigh in on his legal situation.

At times, the drama has continued onto the court with fans shouting at Miller with obscene nicknames — as well as an ill-advised pregame ceremony with Alabama players “patting down” Miller before the game.