Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (9) recovers a Mississippi State wide receiver Chris Smith (8) fumble at Davis Wade Stadium Saturday September 8, 2012 in Starkville, Miss.
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Dareall Thompson said authorities were trying to determine a motive and were searching Saturday for a suspect, The Meridian Star reported.
Smith, a 2009-12 Mississippi State letterman, was shot to death Friday night in his hometown of Meridian.
Mullen said: “Our entire Mississippi State family mourns his loss”.
The shooting happened about 10:45 Friday night, where police responded to Frank Berry Courts where a person had been shot.
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Smith led Meridian win the 2008 Class 5A state championship alongside future college teammate and quarterback Tyler Russell. He called Smith a “terrific teammate” with an “impeccable” work ethic. He caught 109 passes for 1,180 yards and five touchdowns. Smith was a football standout at Meridian High School and went on to become a wide receiver at Mississippi State. He’s now No. 10 on the all-time receptions list for the school. His best output on the football field was during his senior season when he set career-highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (564) along with two touchdowns.
