In a short written statement, UM athletic director Jim O'Day and Grizzly football coach Bobby Hauck both expressed sympathy and shock over the events.
“We are shocked at the developments in the Los Angeles area, and we are worried and concerned about Jimmy Wilson,” Hauck said. “Jimmy will be suspended from our football team indefinitely, as we allow the judicial system to take its course. Sometimes young people make poor decisions. This is a tragedy for Jimmy and his extended family.”
“This has been tragic and shocking news, and we are monitoring it closely,” said O'Day, who is completing his second year as Montana's AD. “It is important that we let California law enforcement officials continue their investigation and allow the legal process to follow its proper course.
“In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, Mr. Smoot, and his family, as well as to the Wilson family.”
Wilson is suspected in the shooting death of Kevin Smoot, 29, on the evening of June 2 in Lancaster, Calif., which is about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
An Associated Press story identified Smoot as the boyfriend of Wilson's aunt, and had been fighting with Wilson's aunt that night, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Mitch Loman.
Investigators said Wilson shot Smoot in the right eye and fled the scene. No weapon has been recovered, and Wilson surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, Loman said.
“He inserted himself into a situation, which should have been handled by the police,” Loman said. “It's just a tragic situation.”
Wilson returned to Missoula, where UM's football team was beginning summer conditioning, last week.
Missoula police detective Travis Welsh said his department was contacted on June 7 by a detective from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. Welch said he was asked to ascertain if Wilson was back in Missoula.
“The detective explained what had happened and that Mr. Wilson was a suspect in the case,” Welsch said. “We did notify them that he was here. ... but at that point we heard that Mr. Wilson was supposedly going to turn himself in back in Los Angeles.”
Wilson did that on Tuesday. Thursday his bail was doubled to $2 million.
UM executive vice president Jim Foley reiterated his original statement following Wilson's arrest.
“This matter is currently in the hands of the California court system, and we have no further comment on the situation at this time,” Foley's statement read. “As Jim and Bobby have said in their statements, we need the legal system to take its course. Obviously, we are treating this matter very seriously.”
Reporter Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 523-5247 or at fneighbor@missoulian.com.
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