The Matador originally posted that the Golden Eagles’ punter Peter Wilkes passed away on Friday based on a press release from the Southern Mississippi Athletic Department. Apparently, the release was premature as the school is now retracting the statement–Wilkes is still alive, but in critical condition.
Peter Wilkes, a walk-on punter at Southern Miss, is in critical condition at a Memphis, Tenn., hospital after being shot at his home in Union City, Tenn.
Regional Medical Center officials said Friday that Wilkes was being treated in a critical care unit. According to a law enforcement official, Wilkes was shot early Friday morning and was transported to a hospital where he remains on life support.
Union City Assistant Police Chief Perry Barfield said the case is under investigation as an accident or self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Southern Miss officials retracted an initial news release that said Wilkes was shot Thursday night in an accident and had died Friday morning. Southern Miss spokesman Jack Duggan said in a statement Friday afternoon that Wilkes suffered an “irrecoverable injury” Thursday night.
Wilkes was not a member of the Golden Eagles’ travel party to Louisville for Saturday’s game and was at home during the school’s fall break. He made an early push to win the job at punter during preseason practice, but has not played this season.
Coach Larry Fedora said coaches and players are “shocked and devastated.”
