USM player paralyzed-1 of 3 affletes shot after brawl
A person familiar with the situation says
Southern Miss linebacker Martez Smith (black) is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot at a nightclub along with two teammates.
The
person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on the condition of
anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the
player's medical status.
Smith, linebacker Tim Green (black) and defensive
end Deddrick Jones (black) were shot in the parking lot of a Hattiesburg
nightclub after it closed early Sunday morning. They were celebrating
the team's win over
Central Florida on Saturday.
Smith's
spinal cord was severed, the source said. Green was shot in the neck
and Jones was shot in the chest. All three were listed in fair condition
Tuesday at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.
Police said Tuesday that they have arrested two people in connection with the shooting and they are seeking a third suspect.
Patricia
Loftin Brown, 49, and Cleothus Wilkerson 25, both from Bassfield, are
charged with three counts each of accessory after the fact of aggravated
assault. An arrest warrant for three counts of aggravated assault has
been issued for Travis Brown of Prentiss.
Brown and Wilkerson were
being held without bond in the local jail pending an initial court
appearance. Police said they don't know if they have lawyers.
Southern
Miss coach Larry Fedora said Monday that Green is unable to speak, but
declined further comment on the extent of the players' injuries.
Southern
Miss had returned home last Saturday after a 31-21 win over Central
Florida in Orlando, and a group of eight to 10 players went out to a
club later that night.
According to Hattiesburg police, a fight
started inside and spilled out into the parking lot, where the three
players were shot. None of the players was armed. (well isn't THAT a relief!)
Southern Miss hosts
Houston on Saturday.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5813232
Edited by: Colonel_Reb