Three teens charged with capital murder in USM football player's shooting death – The Vicksburg Post

HATTIESBURG — Three teenagers have been arrested and face capital murder charges in connection with the shooting death of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels.

The Hattiesburg Police Department announced Friday that they arrested Orlando May, 18, of Hattiesburg; Allen Marcus Gardner, 17, of Houston, Texas; and Samir Green, 16, of Hattiesburg.

All three were booked into the Forrest County Jail and are accused of shooting and killing Daniels at a Hattiesburg apartment complex.

The Hattiesburg Police Department said officers responded to a call of shots fired around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they found Daniels, 21, unconscious in his vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

May was charged with one count of capital murder; one count of attempted armed carjacking; one count of Felony Eluding; and two counts of Grand Larceny Auto.

Gardner was charged as an adult with one count of capital murder and one count of attempted armed carjacking.
Green was also charged as an adult with one count of capital murder and one count of attempted armed carjacking.
Police continue to investigate the matter. Anyone with information can contact the Hattiesburg Police Department.

Daniels, a Lucedale native, was entering his second year with Southern Miss after playing at Ole Miss for two seasons. He started all 12 games in 2023 and is expected to start again this year. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of MJ Daniels. His smile was contagious 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,” Southern Miss head coach Will Hall said in an article on X.

Daniels' family announced that the funeral will be June 22 in Lucedale. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the George County High School gymnasium, with burial following at Merrill Cemetery.

“MJ had an infectious smile that could brighten anyone’s day,” the family said in an obituary posted on the website of Moments Funeral Home in Lucedale. “His charismatic personality was the reason there was never a dull moment in his presence.”