Southern Miss football player killed in shooting

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (WHLT) – A Southern Miss football player was killed in a shooting in Hattiesburg.

Forrest County Coroner Lisa Klem said 21-year-old Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. of Lucedale was shot at the Ivy Row Apartments on Tuesday, June 11.

Klem said McDaniels’ body was sent to the medical examiner for an autopsy.

Hattiesburg Police have not released any information about the shooting at this time.

McDaniels, a senior, was a cornerback on the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) football team. He was on the Ole Miss football team in 2021 and 2022. He attended high school at George County High School.

“The University of Southern Mississippi and the Athletic Department mourn the loss of MJ Daniels, who was killed in an off-campus incident Tuesday evening. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time,” USM officials said in a statement to WJTV 12 News.

USM’s academic advising services are available to members of the Golden Eagle football program and those living near the university.