Award-winning Southern Miss RB Fletcher charged with firing gun

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Mississippi running back Damion Fletcher, the school's all-time leading rusher, is charged with firing at least one gunshot while at an apartment complex, and another player faces a marijuana possession charge.

Hattiesburg Police Department spokesman Synarus Green told the Associated Press on Monday that Fletcher was charged with discharging a firearm at the apartment complex in Hattiesburg. He was arrested Sunday night, following reports of gunfire.

Green said Brennan Houston was booked on a marijuana possession charge, stemming from the same incident. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Houston, a 22-year-old senior, is a Southern Miss offensive lineman. Fletcher, a 21-year-old senior, has 4,287 career rushing yards. He ran for 1,313 and 10 TDs this past season.

"I have been made aware of the situation and am gathering all the facts. After all the facts are in, I then will make my decision pending the legal process on any action that I feel appropriate," Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora said in a written statement.

Green said no one was hurt in the incident, and it appears the weapon was fired into the air.

Fletcher became Southern Miss' leading career rusher in less than 2½ seasons, breaking Ben Garry's 31-year-old record of 3,595 yards. He won the Conerly Trophy in 2007, which is given annually to Mississippi's top college football player.