A teenage boy has pleaded guilty to the murder of University of Southern Mississippi football player, Jaylond Daniels. The 18-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released due to his young age, admitted to shooting Daniels during a drug deal gone wrong in December 2020.
Daniels, a sophomore wide receiver for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, was found dead in a Hattiesburg apartment complex parking lot on December 7th. The suspect was arrested a few days later after being identified through surveillance footage and witness accounts.
During the court hearing, the teen confessed to shooting Daniels in the head with a handgun during a dispute over a drug transaction. He was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
According to authorities, the suspect had a history of criminal activity and had previously been arrested for theft and weapons possession. His guilty plea comes as a relief to the Daniels family and the university community, who have been mourning the loss of the promising young athlete.
Southern Miss head football coach, Will Hall, remembered Daniels as a hardworking and committed player who had a bright future ahead of him. The university has honored Daniels with a scholarship in his name and plans to establish a memorial in his honor.
The teen will be sentenced at a later date and could face up to life in prison for his role in Daniels’ murder. The case has sparked conversations about gun violence and drug-related crimes among young people and the need for stronger community support and resources to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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