USM Community Reacts to Shooting of Student Athletes

The Southern Mississippi football team was in high spirits after their victory at conference rival and #24 in the nation Central Florida. Some players went out to celebrate in Hattiesburg after they returned home, and the night turned from celebration to tragedy. USM linebackers Martez Smith and Tim Green and defensive end Deddrick Jones were all shot outside of Remington's Hunt Club in Hattiesburg during the early hours of Sunday, November 14. The three players have been listed by the university as in fair to good condition since the shooting. As a result of the shooting, Martez Smith is currently paralyzed from the waist down, and Tim Jones cannot speak because of undisclosed injuries suffered in the shooting. As a proud Golden Eagle, I went around campus in the days after this tragic event to see how the university family is copping with this harrowing situation. For the latest information regarding the Southern Miss Football Team, visit the team homepage at Golden Eagle Football. For the latest breaking news about the shooting and other issues in Hattiesburg, MS, visit the Hattiesburg American website at Hattiesburg American.