A football player for the University of Southern Mississippi was shot and killed this week.
Police in Hattiesburg, Miss., have announced that 21-year-old Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. was shot and killed in his car on Tuesday night. The shooting took place at a housing complex near Highway 49, according to TMZ. Police found Daniels unresponsive at the scene.
Hattiesburg Police Department chief Hardy Sims said authorities are still trying to locate the party or parties responsible for the shooting.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Daniels family,” Sims said. “We are doing all that we can to locate the perpetrators to bring justice to the victim and his family.”
No further details were given, but police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
Southern Mississippi football coach Will Hall issued a statement about Daniels’ death.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of MJ Daniels. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. Please keep MJ’s loved ones and our Southern Miss family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Hall wrote.
Daniels, a Mississippi native, began his collegiate career at Ole Miss in 2021. He played two seasons for the Rebels before transferring to Southern Mississippi last year, where he made an immediate impact for the Golden Eagles.
Daniels had 28 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 12 games last season as a junior.
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