3 charged in shooting death of Southern Miss player MJ Daniels

Hattiesburg, Miss. — Three people were arrested Friday and charged with capital murder in the death of Southern Miss defensive back Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr., police said.

Daniels, 21, was killed Tuesday at an apartment complex in Hattiesburg.

Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims said the accused are Orlando May, 18, of Hattiesburg; Allen Marcus Gardner, 17, of Houston; and Samir Green, 16, of Hattiesburg. Sims said the two juveniles were charged as adults.

May is also charged with one count of attempted carjacking, one count of felony eluding and two counts of grand larceny auto. Gardner and Green are also charged with one count each of attempted armed carjacking.

The Associated Press reached out Friday to the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department, Hattiesburg Municipal Court and public defender’s office to find out if attorneys representing May, Gardner and Green could comment on their behalf. Employees who answered the phone at the sheriff’s department and the courthouse said they did not know, and an employee at the public defender’s office said the office was not representing them as of Friday.

Daniels was a starting cornerback for Southern Miss last season. He tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and had 29 tackles in 12 games. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior is safe for the 2024 season and is expected to start again, the Hattiesburg American reported.

The university and its athletic department said in a statement Wednesday that counseling was available for members of the football team and others affected by his death.

Daniels played his first two college seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to Southern Miss in 2023. He previously starred at George County High School.