Edwards, Miss. — A 21-year-old man was fatally shot in what authorities described as a targeted attack, dying from a gunshot wound after being struck in the right torso while riding in the backseat of a vehicle.
The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m. last night on Willie V. Crump Lane in Edwards, escalated from a neighboring county into Edwards, explained Police Chief Terence Crump. The victim, identified as D’Aaron Kortez Carter, was rushed to Merit Health in Vicksburg, where he was pronounced dead.
According to Chief Crump, the assailants, three men clad entirely in black, targeted the vehicle in which Carter was traveling and opened fire. “He was struck one time, transported to the hospital, and they pronounced him dead,” Crump said, noting that Carter was the sole victim hit by the gunfire during the attack.
The severity of the incident prompted a rapid response from local law enforcement. “At about 11:30 last night, we were informed by Vicksburg Warren 911 that a private vehicle with a gunshot victim had arrived at the Emergency Department at River Region,” shared Sheriff Martin Pace. After interviewing the individuals who transported Carter, it was determined that the conflict originated in Edwards, which led to securing the vehicle and its contents and notifying the Edwards Police Department.
The vehicle was subsequently turned over to Edwards police officials for further investigation. Sheriff Pace and Lt. A.B. Roper of the Edwards Police conducted a preliminary assessment and coordinated the inter-departmental response to this violent outbreak.
This tragic event underscores a disturbing trend of targeted shootings in the region, raising concerns about public safety and the need for intensified law enforcement efforts. The community and local authorities are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help deter such incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.
As the investigation continues, local officials are calling for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. They hope that public cooperation will lead to a swift resolution and help provide closure for the victim’s family.