Former LSU LB Tahj Jones shot, allegedly, by former LSU football player in Sulphur

[jbcarol]

Ross Dellenger ‏@DellengerAdv  3h
ICYMI:  Former #LSU LB Tahj Jones shot, allegedly, by another former LSU football player in Sulphur last night - http://bit.ly/1eykQLT

Former LSU linebacker Tajh Jones was shot Friday night in Sulphur and was listed in serious condition following surgery Saturday morning.

Brandon Winey, another LSU football player and a sixth-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, was arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder, a statement from Sulphur Police said.

An LSU spokesman said the school is aware of Jones' injury.

Jones was at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria on Saturday in the hospital's surgical intensive care unit, a hospital spokesperson said. He remained in serious condition as of 2 p.m. Saturday.

Jones was shot in the abdomen.

The shooting happened at an apartment complex in the 1800 block of Beglis Parkway in Sulphur late Friday night. Sulphur Police received a call at 11:42 p.m. in reference to a shooting, according to a release from the police department.

Jones had arrived uannounced at the apartment to visit a female friend, the release says. Winey arrived later, and an altercation started. Winey produced a handgun and shot Jones, the release says.

Winey fled the scene after the shooting, and the female took Jones to West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur early Saturday morning. He was then moved to Rapides Regional later.

Winey was arrested without incident at his residence in Lake Charles.

Jones, a Sulphur native, most recently participated in LSU's pro day on Wednesday. A reserve for much of his career at LSU, Jones played in eight games last season and made 10 tackles.

Current LSU players expressed their concern for Jones via social media.

[jbcarol]

Colby Delahoussaye ‏@ColbyDely  7m
Everyone please say a prayer for Tahj Jones, he's fighting for his life and he's not only a great teammate but a great person. #prayforTahj

[hoggusamoungus]

Gun play is always nice.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140412/former-lsu-linebacker-tahj-jones-shot/?eref=sihp

[jbcarol]

Glenn Guilbeau ‏@LSUBeatTweet ·4h
TAHJ UPDATE: Still serious condition, but improving. Procedure to make sure didn't miss anything in surgery Sat. and to put in feeding tube.

[jbcarol]

Tahj Jones during LSU's Pro Day, earlier this week
Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com

[jbcarol]

Lamar Louis ‏@_ball_is_life23  6h
Tahj is responding with yes and no head shakes!! He's doing better. Still has more surgery to do. Everybody keep the prayers coming! #LSU

Lamar Louis ‏@_ball_is_life23  49m
God is so good! And prayers work! Tahj surgery was a success. Doctor was pleased with what he saw! No plates and screws were needed.

LSU LB

[jbcarol]

Glenn Guilbeau ‏@LSUBeatTweet ·9h
TAHJ JONES TURNAROUND: Wounded former LSU linebacker much improved after 2nd surgery in two days.
http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/2014/04/13/-tahj-jones-doing-much-better-after-second-surgery/7686685/ ...

[jbcarol]

Matthew Harris ‏@MHarrisAdvocate ·56m
ICYMI | Former #LSU linebacker Tahj Jones' condition improves after suffering a gunshot wound last week. http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/8908487-123/former-lsu-linebacker-tahj-jones ...

[jbcarol]

Jim Kleinpeter ‏@JimKleinpeter ·Apr 15
#LSU's Tahj Jones survived despite bullet severing major vein, passing through his stomach, father says http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2014/04/lsus_tahj_jones_survived_despi.html ...

[jbcarol]

Mack Chuilli ‏@MChuilli ·6 hrs
Just got an update on Tahj and it is all great news. He has been released by his Orthopedic as well as his therapist. He can move freely!

Last hurdle for Tahj will be the release from his surgeon following the recovery of his internal injuries. One step left! Keep praying!

[jbcarol]

Former LSU linebacker Tahj Jones was released from the hospital Wednesday and will return home to continue his rehabilitation from a gunshot wound, his father said.

Jones, 24, has been in Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria since April 12 after being shot by another former Tiger, Brandon Winey, in Sulphur, La., the night before. Winey remains in Sulphur City Jail on a charge of second degree attempted murder.

"He's coming home," Jones' adoptive father Mark Swinney said. "He's still got a tube in his side as a drain for the wound. He had three at one time. But the doctors release him with some orders..."

[jbcarol]

Former LSU linebacker Tahj Jones wants to play football again as he continues a speedy recovery from two surgeries for a gunshot wound to his abdomen on April 11.

"Oh yeah, he plans on playing football again," said Mark Swinney, who with his wife Pam adopted Jones a decade ago in Sulphur after Jones' mother died. "There is always a chance. That's what we're praying for."

Doctors at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria did not rule out a return to the football field.

"They want him to take it slow right now," Swinney said Wednesday night from Jones' hospital room as Jones was awaiting final orders from doctors before he could leave. Later after 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jones was released from the hospital, Rapides Regional spokesman John Marcase confirmed.

"He is up and walking around," Swinney said. "He's trying to go too fast, the doctors said."

Jones was not expected to be selected in the NFL draft on May 8-10, but he had hopes of trying out at training camp in July and August and catching on as an undrafted free agent because of his special teams abilities.

"He plans on trying that next year," Swinney said. "He made it through this. Who knows what he can do if he gets the chance? We thank God that he survived. The kid could've been dead. The doctors couldn't believe he stayed alive."