Southern Mississippi defenseman Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. was killed in an off-campus shooting Tuesday evening.
The 21-year-old was shot dead at an apartment complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. His body has been sent to a medical examiner, according to The Associated Press.
WDAM-TV reported that Southern Miss coach Will Hall and other USM officials attended the scene along with police and emergency responders Tuesday evening.
Southern Miss Football released a statement Wednesday mourning the loss of the young player.
“We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time,” the statement said.
The statement did not clarify details about Daniels’ death, calling it “an incident that occurred off campus.”
Additionally, the statement noted that the school’s counseling services would be available to members of the football program and others close to the university.
Daniels, a senior who transferred from Ole Miss last season, was a starting cornerback for the Golden Eagles. In the 2023 season, his only one with the team, he recorded 29 tackles in 12 games played with three interceptions, good for a team high. According to the Hattiesburg American, Daniels had moved to playing safety as he was expected to be a starter again for the 2024 season.
