Christian Saulsberry, former Northpoint, Southaven football star, shot and killed

Christian Saulsberry, who played football at Southaven and Northpoint High School as well as the Canadian Football League, was shot and killed Saturday morning in Walls, Mississippi. He was 25 years old.

According to a statement from the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, deputies responded to a shooting in the 7400 block of Church Road at approximately 3:20 a.m. Saulsberry was shot in the abdomen and leg while attending a party and was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital.

Mark McDaniel, 24, was arrested Saturday afternoon and was charged with second-degree murder. Per the sheriff's department, he will be extradited to DeSoto County.

Saulsberry played this season with the CFL's Edmonton Elks and in eight games, he had 635 yards on kickoff returns and 235 punt return yards.

"The Edmonton Elks were devastated to learn of the death of running back Christian Saulsberry after he was shot in Memphis, Tennessee," the Elks wrote on their website. "First and foremost, our hearts go out to his family during this incredibly difficult time. Our condolences are also extended to his friends, including the many teammates and coaches both here in Edmonton and elsewhere that he impacted throughout his football career.

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"Christian's contributions to our football team both on the field and in our locker room were significant during his one season with the green and gold. His positive and energy for life will be dearly missed."

At Northpoint, he rushed for 2,606 yards and 34 touchdowns in his final two seasons and helped the team to a 13-1 record as a senior in 2015. Northpoint reached the TSSAA Division II-A state championship game that season and lost 50-20 to St. George's.

Saulsberry also played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game and later spent two seasons at West Alabama from 2018-19.

"Christian is a great kid. Sometimes it’s just hard to see the stupid in this world take out something so good. He had a really bright future in professional football," said Greg Wallace, who coached Saulsberry at Northpoint and now coaches at Marvell Academy. "He was doing what he loved. I tell every player that I coach that I love them and he knew that I loved them and I always tell players that if you’re going to play, play every play like it’s your last. I really think he did that every single play."

Southaven coach John Stevenson, who coached Saulsberry in middle school and his first two high school seasons, remembered him as a smart student who always got straight A's and a football player who worked hard as a small running back.

"A lot of explosion in a small package. Kind of one of those hybrid guys. You always saw the potential he had," Stevenson said. "It's tough for undersized guys and he was able to make it work all the way for an opportunity to play professional ball. It's a testimony to how hard he worked."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Christian Saulsberry death: Southaven, Northpoint star shot, killed