MERIDIAN, Miss. -- A spokesman for Mississippi State University has confirmed the death of former Bulldogs wide receiver Chris Smith.
The Clarion Ledger reports that the 26-year-old Smith was shot and killed Friday night in Meridian. Meridian Police Department Sgt. Dareall Thompson said authorities are trying to determine a motive and were searching Saturday for a suspect, according to The Meridian Star.
Mississippi State spokesman Sid Salter confirmed the death and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen released a statement describing university officials as shocked and saddened. He called Smith a "terrific teammate" with an "impeccable" work ethic.