An Arkansas State football player was shot and killed Wednesday night at his mother’s home in Jackson, Tenn., after a fight broke out during a robbery that targeted his stepfather.
Police in Jackson said Markel Owens, a junior defensive lineman for ASU this past season, was at his mother’s duplex when two masked men “rushed” Owens’ stepfather, Johnny Shivers, and forced him inside the duplex. Owens, Shivers and Owens’ mother, who was identified on ASU’s website as Chermaine Owens, were all shot with a handgun, police said.
Owens was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He was 21.
Owens was less than a week from returning to ASU’s campus in Jonesboro to prepare for the start of his final college semester, one that would include winter conditioning workouts and a spring practice in which he was expected to make a push for more playing time after making four tackles in 11 games for the Red Wolves in 2013.
“You say Markel Owens’ name,everybody is going to smile,” said Steve Hoofkin, who coached Owens at Liberty Tech High School in Jackson. “Our whole community is in shock right now. He was that kind of kid that everybody was rooting for him. You’d be hard-pressed to say something negative.”
Owens was remembered similarly Thursday at ASU, where he spent three seasons as a reserve defensive tackle while battling back and ankle injuries.
“Our worst fears were realized as an athletic department after being notified early [Thursday] morning about the unfortunate news about Markel,” Athletic Director Terry Mohajir said in a statement released through the university. “We’re deeply saddened, and our utmost sympathies go out to his family, teammates and classmates.”
John Thompson, ASU’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons, said Owens never complained about his injuries - he hurt his ankle this past season and his back the previous season - or his limited role on game days.
“Football is not what you think about when you think about Markel,” Thompson said. “We all respected him. He kept with it, he stuck to it. His time was coming. It just breaks your heart.”
Hoofkin said he spoke with Owens about a week-and-a-half ago while Owens was visiting Jackson during ASU’s semester break. Hoofkin said Owens was looking forward to graduating with a degree in business management this spring and then enrolling in graduate school while he played his final season. ASU’s spring semester beings Tuesday.
Hoofkin said Owens always had his eye on academics, which he said came from his grandparents. He said Owens lived with his grandparents in Jackson and was visiting his mother’s residence when he was shot Wednesday night.
Hoofkin said that Owens called him a couple of years ago after ASU had lost a head coach and said he was thinking about transferring, but Hoofkin said Owens decided against it because he wasn’t sure how many of his credits would transfer. Owens was named to the athletic director’s honor roll list during his redshirt season in 2010.
“He had a plan for his future,” Hoofkin said. “That’s all he ever talked about was graduating. He’s always been a good student and a good athlete.”
A release from the Jackson police department said it responded to a call at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, and officers found Shivers dead when they arrived.
Police said Shivers, 36, had just arrived at the duplex when he was rushed by two masked men and forced inside. Police said the suspects demanded money and a “struggle ensued” when Owens tried to help Shivers and began fighting with one of the men.
Police said Owens, his mother and Shivers were all shot during the fight and that the two masked men made off “with a large amount of cash.” Police said they found a “large amount of marijuana” in the duplex and believed that Shivers was targeted. Capt. Tyreece Miller said the marijuana belonged to Shivers.
Owens’ mother, 37, was treated and released from Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, police said.
Police said the suspects are two black males who “possibly left the scene in a white Honda Civic.”
ASU has made counseling available for students.
“Markel was a part of our Red Wolves family, and it is obvious he was a well-liked and respected member of our team who will be missed,” said ASU Coach Blake Anderson, who was hired last month. “We are doing everything possible to comfort his teammates, and we extend our compassion to his family during this difficult time.”At a glance MARKEL OWENS AGE 21 SCHOOL Arkansas State POSITION Defensive line HOMETOWN Jackson, Tenn.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Made four tackles in 11 games as a junior in 2013. … Made 11 tackles in 19 career games. … Best career game came in the 2012 season opener, when he made three tackles in a loss at Oregon. … Named to the ASU athletic director’s honor roll during his redshirt season in 2010. … Was on schedule to graduate with a business management degree this spring.
Sports, Pages 21 on 01/17/2014