Mississippi Archives

Tragic Domestic Violence Incident Claims Life of Young Mother in Mississippi McDonald’s Shooting

Brandon, Mississippi — A tragic incident unfolded at a McDonald’s on June 16, where a young mother was shot and killed. Kianna Jackson, 25, of Pearl, leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. The suspected shooter, Jhonterryes Dampier, 27, later succumbed to his injuries on June 18, just days after the shooting. Witnesses reported that the shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. during what authorities believe was a domestic dispute. Brandon Police Chief …

Mississippi Man Indicted on Multiple Charges in Tragic Mass Shooting That Left Teens Dead

Biloxi, MS – A Mississippi Gulf Coast man has been formally charged in connection with a mass shooting that tragically ended the lives of several teenagers and wounded others earlier this year, officials say. The suspect, whose identity has been withheld until further legal proceedings, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder. The incident, which deeply shook the local community, occurred during a large gathering where discussions quickly escalated into violence. Local law enforcement responded to …

Mississippi Family Takes Refuge in Cinder Block Safe Room Amid Multiple Tornado Warnings

Taylorsville, Miss. — As severe weather threatens Southern Mississippi, a local family took refuge Saturday in a specially constructed “safe room” within their home, amidst multiple tornado warnings impacting the area. The looming threat of tornadic activity has put the community on high alert, with residents preparing for potential disaster. In the small town of Taylorsville in Smith County, resident Stacy Bryant Hawkins, 59, recounted the tense moments as the storm approached. She described an …

Mississippi Reports Alarming Rise in Fire Fatalities, Largely Attributed to Absence of Smoke Alarms in 2025

Jackson, Miss. — Amid a disconcerting rise in fire-related fatalities within the state, Mississippi officials have reported a count of 22 deaths due to fires in the early months of 2025, a number alarmingly linked to homes lacking functional smoke alarms. This alarming statistic underlines a critical public safety issue that state authorities are urging residents to address by ensuring that all dwellings are equipped with working fire detection systems. Investigations into these incidents reveal …

Mississippi Tragedy: Couple Found Dead in Home Weeks After Viral Video Touted Amicable Divorce

TOULON, Miss. — In a tragic turn of events in Toulon, Mississippi, a couple was discovered dead in their home in what authorities suspect to be a murder-suicide. This incident occurred just weeks after the wife, Jennifer Sheffield, 30, had publicly shared her positive experience regarding their ongoing divorce on social media. Jennifer Sheffield, an aspiring doctor who was pursuing a master’s degree at Mississippi College, and her husband, Brandon Sheffield, 40, were both found …

Tragic Twists of Nature: Deadly Tornadoes Tear Through Texas and Mississippi, Leaving Destruction and Despair in Their Wake

Manvel, TX — A violent storm system unleashed several tornadoes across the southern United States this weekend, resulting in at least two fatalities and widespread destruction. Officials confirmed that one of the fatalities occurred in Brazoria County, Texas, located south of Houston, following a tornado that caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Another person lost their life in Natchez, Mississippi as more severe weather pounded the region, bringing high winds and threatening conditions. The …

Mistrial Declared in High-Profile University of Mississippi Student Murder Case After Jury Deadlock

OXFORD, Miss. — A highly anticipated verdict in the trial of Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., accused of the 2022 murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, has been deferred indefinitely after a judge declared a mistrial when jurors could not agree on a verdict. Herrington, 24, remains free on bond, facing capital murder charges in connection with the disappearance of Lee, an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. After more than nine hours …

Mississippi Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $25,000 in Social Security Benefits from Elderly Victims

JACKSON, Miss. – A Meridian woman has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of siphoning social security benefits totaling over $25,000 from two elderly people, a crime that could lead her to a decade behind bars. Identified as 46-year-old Taruars Santae Grace, the woman conceded in court that she unlawfully redirected social security retirement payments from the intended elderly beneficiaries into her own bank accounts. Court filings indicate that Grace knowingly used the funds for …

West Nile Virus Claims Six Lives in Mississippi This Year, Over 50 Cases Reported

Jackson, Miss. — Health officials in Mississippi are sounding the alarm as the state records six deaths this year due to the West Nile virus. The Mississippi State Department of Health has also confirmed over 50 cases of the virus in humans in 2024, marking a concerning uptick in both cases and fatalities. West Nile virus, transmitted through mosquito bites, manifests with symptoms that often resemble the flu, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Dr. …