Teen with offer to play basketball at UNF arrested in connection to murder

Ronnie Rodgers

Alexander Powell. Photo courtesy Duluth Police Department

A high school basketball student with an offer to play at UNF was arrested in connection to a murder that occurred on Oct. 14, according to the Duluth Police Department.  

Police said Alexander Powell, the teen with an offer to play at UNF, met Akeem Turner at Turner’s apartment. The two fought in Turner’s car and Powell took the victim’s keys, preventing him from leaving.

A witness told police Powell exited the car before an unnamed 16-year-old male ran up to the vehicle and said “give me everything you got.” The witness went back into his apartment and called 911 telling police he heard three gunshots.

The unnamed 16-year-old pulled the trigger and shot Turner dead. The 16-year-old was arrested and is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a felony, according to police.  

The witness tried to give the Turner first aid, but when police arrived the victim was not breathing and later died from his injuries.

Powell is charged with armed robbery and assault with the intent to commit a crime according to the Duluth Police Department.

The seven footer attended an Elite Camp in 2015 according to Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matthew Driscoll, and caught the attention of UNF coaches. Powell was extended an offer to play for UNF during August of 2016. According to Powell’s twitter, he also received offers from Winthrop University, and the Ospreys’ ASUN rival, Florida Gulf Coast University.

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