Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy is recovering after being wounded in a shooting outside a concert venue in Laurel, Mississippi early Sunday morning. Investigators believe Hardy was an innocent bystander caught in the middle of gunfire that broke out as concertgoers were leaving the area. Authorities say Hardy was inside a vehicle attempting to exit the crowded parking lot when he was struck in the upper leg.
Police say multiple shots were fired after a large crowd gathered outside the Kamakazy Biker Club following a rap concert. The chaotic scene reportedly involved numerous vehicles trying to leave at once while gunfire erupted nearby. Hardy was transported to a hospital in Hattiesburg for treatment, and officials say at least one other person was also injured. Three suspects are currently in custody while investigators continue working to determine what sparked the shooting.
The 20-year-old Mississippi native is coming off a breakout season for Missouri after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honors and national recognition as one of college football’s top running backs. Missouri officials say Hardy remains in stable condition, though there is no timetable yet for his return to the field.