WIGGINS, Miss. — Law enforcement officials in Stone County have identified the victim of a fatal shooting early Monday morning as 31-year-old Quay Evans, a former standout defensive lineman for Mississippi State University. Evans was discovered deceased inside his vehicle at a McDonald’s drive-thru on Frontage Drive in Wiggins, Mississippi.
According to the Wiggins Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. regarding a non-responsive individual in the drive-thru lane. Upon arrival, emergency responders found Evans suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Stone County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation into the shooting is currently active and being treated as a homicide. As of Tuesday morning, authorities have not released information regarding a potential motive or identified any suspects in connection with the incident. Wiggins Police, alongside the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant and surrounding businesses to establish a timeline of events leading up to the shooting.
Evans was once considered one of the premier high school football prospects in the country. A five-star recruit out of Morton High School, he was ranked as the top player in the state of Mississippi for the class of 2012. During his recruitment, he chose Mississippi State over offers from several high-profile programs, including Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn.
During his tenure with the Bulldogs from 2012 to 2013, Evans appeared in 15 games, recording 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. His collegiate career was marked by flashes of elite physical talent, though he faced several disciplinary suspensions that eventually led to his departure from the program. Following his time in Starkville, Evans attempted to revive his football career in the professional ranks, spending time in the Arena Football League and attending tryouts for various NFL and CFL organizations.
The news of his death has prompted responses from the Mississippi sports community. Former teammates and coaches have expressed condolences via social media, remembering Evans for his immense physical presence on the field and his potential as an athlete.
The Wiggins Police Department has requested that anyone with information regarding the shooting or individuals who may have been in the vicinity of the Frontage Drive McDonald’s between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Monday contact their investigators immediately. A formal autopsy is scheduled to be performed at the state crime lab in Pearl, Mississippi, to provide a definitive cause of death.
