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Police investigating Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels’ death

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Police investigating Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels’ death

An investigation is ongoing in the death of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels, Hattiesburg Police public information officer Tate Rutland told the Hattiesburg American on Thursday. 

Daniels, a 21-year-old defensive back, was shot and killed on Tuesday night in Hattiesburg. In a statement Wednesday, Hattiesburg Police said it responded to a call at 9:29 p.m. of shots fired at the 6300 block of highway 49. Officers found Daniels unresponsive in his vehicle with gunshot wounds.

Forrest County Coroner Lisa Klem said Wednesday that Daniels’ body was being sent for an autopsy.

Rutland did not have any updates Thursday regarding leads, suspects or motives. 

Daniels is from Lucedale, Mississippi, where he starred as a three-sport high school athlete at George County. 

He began his college career at Ole Miss in 2021 before transferring to Southern Miss in 2023. He started at cornerback last season and moved to safety this spring where he was expected to be a starter again. 

“The University of Southern Mississippi and the Department of Athletics mourn the loss of M.J. Daniels whose life was lost Tuesday evening during an incident that occurred off campus,” Southern Miss said in a statement Wednesday. “We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”

Anyone with information is requested to contact Hattiesburg Police Detectives at 601-545-4971 or Crime Stoppers at 601-582-STOP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.p3tips.com.

Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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