Alabama walk-on Kai Spears says NYT report connecting him to fatal shooting is '100% inaccurate'

In the wake of statements from both Alabama and Kai Spears‘ father refuting a New York Times report that Spears was present the night of a murder involving former Alabama player Darius Miles, Spears himself has also spoken out.

Spears tweeted a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“I have one thing to say – the report in the New York Times was 100% inaccurate and the writer had complete disregard for the truth,” Spears wrote. “I am trying to process and cope with these false statements that somehow have been published and then seen by so many. So thankful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.

“More than anything… I remain completely heartbroken by the tragic death that occurred that night.”

This week the reporting has centered on the potential presence of Kai Spears on the night of the murder.

The New York Times reported that Kai Spears was also present during the recent fatal shooting that has plagued Alabama’s season. The report in question stated that Kai Spears was inside Brandon Miller’s car the night of the shooting that claimed 25-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris’s life.

But Alabama has since put out a statement denying the New York Times’ claim as false, while Spears’ father, Marshall athletics director Christian Spears, also put out a statement.

Spears noted that he will explore “all legal options” moving forward in light of the New York Times report.

“I am just incredibly disappointed in the irresponsible and demonstrably false reporting by the NY Times,” Spears stated, per the press release. “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.”

The news this week comes right as Alabama is getting set to open the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South Region.

Alabama will tip off against Texas A&M Corpus Christi at 2:45 p.m. ET on CBS on Thursday, the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Crimson Tide have done their best to tune out the outside noise.

“Well, us having the bond that we have, I feel like we all just lean on each other,” Miller said. “We know our struggles on and off the court, we know our strengths on and off the court. Just knowing that plays a big part in our success on the court.”