Alabama freshman walk-on Kai Spears, his father and Marshall athletic director Christian Spears, the family’s legal representation and the university have all refuted a report published by the New York Times that connected Spears as a fourth member of the men’s basketball team to the scene of a fatal January shooting.

In a statement, Spears slammed the reporting and wrote that it “was 100% inaccurate and the writer had complete disregard for the truth.”

“I am trying to process and cope with these false statements that somehow have been published and then seen by so many. So thankful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.

“More than anything… I remain completely heartbroken by the tragic death that occurred that night.”

Stephen P. New, representing the family, also released a statement Thursday afternoon, calling the reporting “demonstrably false, as we can demonstrate Kai was not in the car, nor near that vicinity at the team in question.”

New said he reached out to “General Counsel for the New York Times” and that they are exploring legal options available to the family.

“I am furious at the completely erroneous article(s) placing my son in the car at the scene,” Christian said in New’s statement. “It is absolutely false; Kai was not there. I am grateful to the people who are supporting our family.

“We all must hold irresponsible journalists and their publications accountable.”

The recent investigation published by the New York Times alleged that Spears was with Brandon Miller inside another car that had its windshield struck by two bullets, according to the Times, which cited an anonymous source familiar to the case as the person who linked Sears.

Jalen Bradley, a freshman guard, was also at the scene, according to previously published reports.

Darius Miles was arrested, dismissed from the team and indicted on capital murder charges last week.

Miles’ childhood friend, Michael Lynn Davis, was also indicted on capital murder charges as the person who allegedly fired the bullet that killed 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Jan. 15.

“Last night, an inaccurate report was published about Kai Spears, one of our student-athletes being present at the time of the incident,” Alabama AD Greg Byrne said in a statement Thursday. “This is untrue. As law enforcement previously shared, Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley were present. Both are fully cooperating witnesses. Neither have been charged with any offense, nor did they violate University policy.

“Some inaccurate narratives have been reported about the involvement of Alabama student-athletes that display an unfortunate disregard of the facts. We ask all to exercise careful due diligence before reporting on this sensitive situation.”

Miles has been accused of giving the gun to Davis, while Miles allegedly texted Miller to bring his gun to the scene, according to law enforcement testimony.

Miller, who has not been charged, has been defended by his lawyers, testifying that he didn’t touch the weapon.

Alabama will play its first game of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday after winning the SEC regular-season title and conference tournament, facing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in Birmingham.

Miller was accompanied by an armed security guard for the Crimson Tide’s practice the day prior.

The 20-year-old said that he’ll “always travel with security to all games.”