Arkansas State Player and Father Killed in Home Robbery

Arkansas State junior defensive lineman Markel Owens was shot to death in a duplex late Wednesday night, along with his father, in what authorities are referring to as a home invasion robbery.

Owens' father, Johnny Shivers, was pronounced dead on site, and Owens was rushed to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Owens' mother was also shot, but not fatally.

According to the police reports, Owens was shot attempting to break up a violent altercation between his father and two masked attackers, who were attempting to steal money from Shivers. Owens and Shivers paid for the altercation with their lives, while the two attackers escaped with a large amount of cash.

Police believe Shivers was the primary target of the attack and found a large amount of marijuana inside the apartment. Investigators believed the attackers knew of the large amount of drugs and cash being stored there, and Owens happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Owens suited up in 11 games last season for the Red Wolves and was planning on returning for his senior year after helping bring a co-conference championship to Jonesboro.

[story via Associated Press]