Star High School Running Back Mysteriously Dead

According to the Associated Press, a George County High School football star in Jackson, Mississippi named Billey Joe Johnson shot himself with a shotgun after he was pulled over by a police officer. According to the report, the officer pulled him over, took his license and while he was back in his patrol car for a license check, Johnson killed himself.

"The deputy was sitting in his patrol vehicle ... when he heard a gunshot and saw the victim laying on the ground by the driver's side door of the vehicle that Johnson was driving. A shotgun was lying on the victim," according to a statement from the George County Sheriff's Department.

The authorities are not sure if the shooting was an accident or suicide but Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking at the cause of death. According to the Associated Press, Johnson rushed for more than 4,000 yards in his high school career. Plus he had scholarship offers from universities including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Oregon.

"We're just in shock," George County High assistant coach Darwin Nelson said. "To say that he had a world of potential would be one of the biggest understatements of the century. I just can't explain this."

Of course, friends and family are in disbelief by the shooting which brings up the question about the incident report. With police officers sometimes taking matters in their own hands lately, some folks on the outside think this death is a bit fishy. How about you?

Sports Deaths in 2008

Dec. 8: High school football star Billey Joe Johnson dies after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rivals.com

Ted Rogers, Dec. 2: Rogers, the founder of Canada's largest cable company and the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays since 2000, dies in his home at the age of 75.

Adrian Wyld, The Canadian Press / AP

Pit Martin, Dec. 2: The 64-year-old four-time NHL All-Star dies after his snowmobile plunges into an icy lake near his home in Quebec.

Steve Babineau, Getty Images / NHLI

Armand Guidolin, Nov. 24: He was the youngest player to ever play in the NHL and went on to coach Boston and Colorado.

Will Barrow, Nov. 22: The rising lacrosse star was only 22 years old. A cause of death has yet to be released.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

Bob Jeter, Nov. 20: The NFL cornerback, seen here late in his career with the Bears, started in Super Bowls I and II for the Packers.

NFL

Pete Newell, Nov. 17: The Hall of Fame basketball coach led California to a national championship in 1959 and the United States to Olympic gold in 1960.

Dino Vournas, AP

Herb Score, Nov. 11: The Indians pitcher was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1955 and found a second career on the team's radio broadcast team from 1968 to 1997.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Preacher Roe, Nov. 9: The pitcher went 127-84 in a 12-year career with Brooklyn, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, but it was with the Dodgers that he enjoyed his greatest success and acclaim.

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

G. Larry James, Nov. 6: The track & field star from Villanova won two medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics. "The Mighty Burner" scored gold as a member of the U.S. 4x400 relay team and an individual silver in the 400 meters.

Ed Kolenovsky, AP