Dimitri Miles, 21, a Troy University football player, was arrested and charged with the murder of 26-year-old Troy resident Marquise McClendon at Trojan Crossing Apartments over the holiday break.
According to Bruce W. Mathews, chief investigator for Troy City Police, police were called to Trojan Crossing Apartments Sunday Dec. 15 at 7:55 a.m. after shots were reported.
As stated in the police report, McClendon was breaking into an apartment that belonged to two of Miles’ teammates.
Upon hearing the sounds of the break-in, Miles then left his apartment and attempted to prevent the burglary from proceeding. Miles then fired multiple shots from a Glock 9mm, hitting McClendon in both his upper and lower extremities. McClendon was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Miles did admit that he had purchased the firearm from an acquaintance in Georgia.
Miles called the Troy Police Department to report the shooting and was seen near the scene when police arrived. He was arrested when the police arrived.
“It appears McClendon was in the commission of burglary at the time,” District Attorney Tom Anderson said. “The defendant confronted the deceased and fired multiple shots.”
McClendon was transported to Troy Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
According to city police, McClendon was a well-known burglar in the Troy area.
Troy University Dean of Students Herbert Reeves said Miles had been “immediately suspended” until the charges were settled.
John Hartwell, Troy University athletics director, said that Miles had been cut from the football team.
“First and foremost, anytime there is a loss of life it is a tragic event and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family,” Hartwell said in a statement.
“Dimitri Miles was a walk-on student-athlete on our football team who was academically ineligible to compete in competition this past season but practiced as a member of the scout team.”
Hartwell continued by saying that Miles’ association with Troy University’s football team and the Troy Athletic Department had been immediately terminated as a result of the shooting charges.
Miles was transported to the Pike Co. Jail, upon his arrest, and was held on a $100,000 bail but has recently bonded out and is currently home in Lafayette, Ga, awaiting his trial.
According to Matthews, further details about the case are unavailable as the investigation is still pending.
Miles was unavailable to comment.
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