Western Michigan basketball player Jovieair Kennedy charged with murder
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Jovieair Kennedy, a freshman Western Michigan University basketball player, has been charged with murder and armed robbery in the death of another student, reports CBS affiliate WWMT.
Police say Kennedy killed 19-year-old Jacob Jones, also a Western Michigan University student, at Jones’ off-campus apartment on Thursday. Kennedy, 20, of Muskegon, Mich., faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Capt. Victor Ledbetter said the victim “was known to sell marijuana” and indicated that the murder may have been connected to that.
Ledbetter said police are still searching for a second suspect, a 5-foot-10-inch man who was seen running from the scene wearing a bandana, and holding a gun.
On Friday, Western Michigan athletic director Kathy Beauregard said an athlete had been suspended after being identified by police as a person of interest in the shooting. She didn’t identify the athlete or the sport the student participated in.
Kennedy, who has appeared in eight games for the Broncos this season, was not on the roster for Saturday’s home game against James Madison. The school would not confirm that Kennedy was the athlete identified by police, but coach Steve Hawkins spoke a bit in general terms about the situation after the game.
“It’s a devastating loss for our university. It’s a devastating tragedy for everybody involved,” Hawkins said Saturday. “Lives were changed forever, and so, we’re very, very respectful of that. We’re very shook by the whole thing. Now, it’s up to us to try and — as you always do, trying to mentor young people — you just try and pick up the pieces and move forward. There’s a lot not known. So that’s where we’re at.”
Kennedy’s family said in an interview with WWMT that police have the wrong guy. They say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“That’s not my kid, I don’t know who did it, but I feel bad for the family, this ain’t my nephew,” said Lucious Kennedy, Joeiviar’s uncle.
Dee Harris, described as a mentor to Kennedy, said he has never previously been in trouble with the law.
“He ain’t never been in trouble or nothing, this guy is awesome,” Harris said. “I know deep in my heart he did not do this.”
Kennedy was denied bond Monday and had not yet obtained an attorney.