Published: May 12, 2008 10:45 am         

HCC player killed in shooting

A Holmes Community College football running back was shot early Saturday morning on Interstate 55 near Durant.

Cortez L. Bowie, 20, of Kosciusko, died of a single gunshot wound after being transported to the hospital, Holmes County Sheriff Willie March said.

March said a white Ford Explorer pulled up to Bowie’s Mercury Sedan and gunshots were fired but Bowie was shot only once through the shoulder.

A passenger traveling with Bowie was unharmed, March said.

"We don't know if they were being targeted. We learned that there was a scuffle at the party, but the passenger said they weren't involved," March said in an interview with The Clarion-Ledger.

There is an investigation underway and there are no suspects at this time, March said.

Bowie, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound running back on the HCC football roster, was the team's second-leading rusher with 235 yards on 71 carries during the 2007 season.

There are no suspects in the shooting.

If you have any information, call the HCSD at 834-1511.