Two Florida International University football players visiting friends in Opa-locka, Fla. on Thursday afternoon were shot and injured in what police said was a drive-by shooting.
The players, star junior running back Anthony Jones and freshman offensive lineman Mershawn Miller, were both transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Jones was airlifted. Miller was taken by ambulance. The injuries don't appear to be life-threatening, said Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson.
Jones was shot in the face and the back. Miller was shot in the arm. The shooting happened just after 3 p.m. just outside a home at 2400 NW 141st St.
"Somebody drove by and starting shooting from a vehicle," Dobson said.
Dobson said police were looking for a newer model, 4-door, gray, Nissan Sentra, with no tag.
FIU released a brief statement immediately after the shooting, saying their thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Jones, who missed the 2017 season with a knee injury, ran for 88 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Panthers opening season loss to Indiana last weekend. Miller, who sat out last season as a red-shirt, played in his first game Saturday. Both players attended Miami Central High School. Getting Jones, a highly-touted back on a nationally-ranked high school team, was considered a coup for the Panthers at the time.
