GoFundMe Raises Over $14K For 5-Year-Old Son Of Woman Killed In Strip Shooting

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa area and University of Alabama community are still trying to make sense of a Sunday morning shooting near The Strip that left a 23-year-old mother of one dead and two men charged with capital murder, including a former Crimson Tide basketball player.

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Still, the public's generosity in the aftermath of Jamea Harris' death can be seen after a GoFundMe online fundraising drive was launched by her family to assist with caring for her 5-year-old son Kaine.

As of the publication of this story, the GoFundMe had raised $14,400 from 286 donors

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"She leaves behind a five year old son that will never know how beautiful his mother was inside and out," the GoFundMe drive states. "She had a heart of gold and was loved by all. It’s no way to express how much she will be missed! I thank everyone that has reached out with their prayers and condolences and I appreciate however you would like to help."

As Patch previously reported, former Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles, 21, and 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis of Charles County, Maryland, were identified as suspects immediately following the shooting in the 500 block of Grace Street around 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning.

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Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has offered condolences to Harris' family on more than one occasion since the incident and took time to do so following the Tide's win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday.

"It's a tragic situation," Oats told reporters Tuesday night. "We feel awful for any part of what ... anybody in our program had to do with it. We're praying for Jamea and her family, especially her son. I mean it's heartbreaking, she left a 5 year old here, so the whole situation needs a lot of prayer."

Investigators believe the shooting occurred following a minor altercation on The Strip earlier in the evening. In a deposition filed on Tuesday, Miles admitted to providing Davis with the handgun used in the shooting that resulted in Harris' death.

What's more, attorneys for Miles released a statement maintaining the young man's innocence and saying he was looking forward to his day in court.

"Darius Miles and his family are heartbroken tonight over the death of Jamea Jonae Harris," the statement said Sunday following his arrest. "While Darius has been accused of being involved with this tragedy, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to his day in court. Our firm's own investigation is ongoing, and no further statement will be made at this time."

Both men had their initial appearances in court earlier this week and remain in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

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