Lauderdale County, MS – Sheriff Ward Calhoun has confirmed the tragic deaths of three victims following a Christmas Eve shooting in Lauderdale County.

The victims were identified as 64-year-old Johnnie L. Mosley of the Lauderdale community, 48-year-old Shunda Faye Brown of the Porterville community, and 15-year-old Treyvone Young, a student at Northeast Lauderdale High School who was just one day shy of his 16th birthday.

The suspect, 50-year-old Joseph Spinks of Toomsuba, has been charged with three counts of murder.

Sheriff Calhoun revealed that Spinks was already out on bond for a felony DUI charge at the time of the shooting.

Following these new charges, all previously issued bonds have been revoked.

Spinks is currently being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility without bond, pending a presentation of the case to the next available grand jury.

The shooting occurred on Christmas Eve at approximately 7:10 PM at a residence in the 9500 block of Northeast Cole Road.

According to Sheriff Calhoun, the Lauderdale County E-911 dispatch received reports that three individuals had been shot.

When deputies and Metro officers arrived at the scene, they discovered:

• One victim had been transported to a local hospital by car.
• A second victim, a female, was treated at the scene before being transported by ambulance.
• The third victim was unresponsive, prompting officials to contact Lauderdale County Coroner Stella McMahan.

Deputies immediately began gathering information on the suspect, who had fled the scene.

By approximately 9:30 PM, they located Spinks and his vehicle in the 7000 block of Welch Road. Spinks was apprehended at a nearby residence and taken into custody without incident.

Early the following morning, he was formally charged with murder and booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Facility.

Sheriff Calhoun stated that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed as more details emerge. Authorities are also pursuing leads on another person of interest who may have been involved in the shooting.

“This tragic event has left our community in mourning. We are working diligently to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families,” said Sheriff Calhoun.

The loss of 15-year-old Treyvone Young has deeply affected the local community, particularly his schoolmates and staff at Northeast Lauderdale High School. Sheriff Calhoun extended his condolences to the families of all three victims and assured the public that every effort is being made to bring clarity and accountability to this devastating incident.

Anyone with additional information regarding the case is urged to contact the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office.