The Hattiesburg Police Department has arrested and charged three individuals in connection to the shooting death of Southern Miss football player Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. Friday morning.
Orlando May, Allen Marcus Gardner and Samir Green were all booked into the Forest County Jail on Friday morning and all face charges of capital murder.
May, 18, of Hattiesburg also faces additional charges, including one count of attempted carjacking, one count of felony eluding, and two counts of grand larceny auto.
Gardner, 17, of Houston, Texas, and Green, 16, of Hattiesburg, are also facing additional charges, both charged with one count of attempted armed carjacking.
Although minors, Gardner and Green are both being charged as adults.
They will make their initial court appearance on Monday at 11 a.m. Hattiesburg police said the investigation is still ongoing.
“Additional arrests and charges could occur as they are pending,” Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims said in a press briefing.
He did not take any questions from the press.
Daniels, 21, was shot and killed Tuesday evening after being shot in his car at the Ivy Row Apartment Complex in Hattiesburg. The 21-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene, and his body was sent to a medical examiner for an autopsy.
READ IT: The obituary of Marcus Leon Daniels Jr.
NBC News reported that Daniel’s mother, Adrian Jackson, was told by police that the bullet entered through the back of Daniel’s vehicle and struck him.
Daniels was a starting cornerback for Southern Miss last season after transferring from Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior had 28 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles last season. He moved to safety for the 2024 season, was expected to start and play a massive role in the 2024 Golden Eagles defense.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of MJ Daniels,” Southern Miss head football coach Will Hall said. “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.”
The HPD continued to ask the public for information regarding the incident.
“As the investigation is ongoing, Hattiesburg Police continue to ask for the public’s help in providing any pertinent information related to the case,” the release said. “If anyone has additional information pertaining to the case, please contact Hattiesburg Police Detectives 601-545-4971 or Crime Stoppers by calling 601-582-STOP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.p3tips.com. This information is preliminary and subject to change. Additional arrests and charges could occur.”
