Crime
16-year-old Zay Young killed in Hub City shooting
A heavy police presence, ambulances, and reports of gunfire disrupted the Jackson community Monday evening near Faris Street.
Concerned residents began calling authorities around 8:30 p.m., reporting the sound of gunshots and a significant emergency response in the area.
When news crews arrived, the Jackson Police Department (JPD), Fire Department, and EMS were on the scene, with crime tape cordoning off a section of the road.
Officers were observed conducting a search near a home in the 200 block of Faris Street.
According to a JPD press release issued Tuesday morning, officers responded to Preston Street around 8:20 p.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter alert.
Upon investigating, they determined the gunfire originated from Faris Street, where they discovered two male juveniles suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders transported both victims to a local hospital before transferring them to a Memphis medical facility for further treatment.
Tragically, one of the juveniles identified as 16-year-old Zay Young succumbed to his injuries Tuesday morning, while the other remains hospitalized in stable condition.
JPD has confirmed the investigation is ongoing and is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact their department at (731) 425-8400.
Updates will be provided as more details become available in this developing case.
Crime
Two Christian County Deputies Killed in Line of Duty Identified as Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope
Christian County, Mo. — The Christian County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two deputies killed in the line of duty during a multi-agency manhunt that concluded early Tuesday morning with the suspect fatally shot by law enforcement.
The fallen deputies have been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and 40-year-old Deputy Michael Hislope.
Deputy Ramirez joined the Sheriff’s Office on March 14, 2025. Although his tenure with the agency was brief, officials stated that his dedication to serving and protecting the community was evident from the outset.
Deputy Hislope had served with the department since October 28, 2019, and was described as a dedicated public servant, trusted colleague, and valued member of the sheriff’s office family.
Both deputies were veterans of the United States Army and were recognized for their continued commitment to service following their military careers.
Sheriff’s officials stated that their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to Christian County will not be forgotten.
The incident began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville. During that encounter, gunfire erupted, resulting in the initial fatal shooting of Deputy Ramirez and prompting a large-scale manhunt.
Authorities later located the suspect’s abandoned vehicle, triggering an extensive search effort involving approximately 100 law enforcement officers, deputies, and state troopers from across the Ozarks region.
Federal partners, including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF, also assisted in the operation.
According to Brad Cole, the search culminated early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area after hours of searching.
As deputies approached the location, the suspect, identified as Richard Bird, opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking Bird and ending the threat.
During the exchange, one additional deputy from Christian County and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded. Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
While the suspect has been neutralized, the cost of the operation has left the department and community grieving. Two deputies did not return home to their families, and multiple agencies across the region are mourning alongside Christian County.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating, noting the profound impact on the deputies’ families, colleagues, and the broader community they served. The investigation into the shootings remains ongoing.