A Western Michigan basketball player has been arrested and charged with murder and armed robbery. Joeviair Kennedy, a redshirt freshman guard, is charged with killing 19-year-old Jacob Jones at an off-campus apartment on Thursday.
Western Michigan basketball player Joeviair Kennedy arrested on murder charge
Kennedy was a redshirt freshman guard from Muskegon High School.
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Jones was killed during an attempted robbery. Others were present, according to the AP.
Kennedy was suspended from school on Friday. On the season, he appeared in eight games and scored 25 points.
Kennedy is due to be arraigned in a Kalamazoo, Michigan court on Monday. Here’s the statement from the school on Friday:
Earlier today, local law enforcement officials notified us of an incident near our campus that led to the death of a 20-year-old Western Michigan University student. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. In conversation with law enforcement, Kalamazoo Public Safety indicated to us their desire to locate and talk with one of our current student-athletes in connection to this incident. The University and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics have and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials as they carry out their investigation. The student-athlete in question, referred to as a person of interest by law enforcement officials, has been immediately suspended by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Neither the University, nor the Athletic Department, will have any further official statement as law enforcement continues its work.
Earlier today, WMU President Dr. John M. Dunn, who is traveling internationally, issued the following statement on behalf of the University Community.
The University has learned that the victim of last night’s shooting was a WMU student. The WMU community is stunned by the realization that a promising life has been lost. We extend our condolences to the family and commit to working with law enforcement officials to ensure that the responsible individuals are apprehended and that justice is served.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation.
Kennedy graduated from Muskegon High School in 2015, where he starred on the basketball team alongside current Memphis Grizzlies forward Deyonta Davis. He chose to play for the Broncos over Buffalo and Northern Illinois as a recruit.
Kennedy’s name can no longer be found on the team’s roster at the school’s website. The robbery was allegedly an attempt to get a phone and money.
Western Michigan is 3-6 on the season.
See More:
