Crime
Victims killed in Christmas Eve shooting in Lauderdale County identified, suspect charged
The suspect, 50-year-old Joseph Spinks of Toomsuba, has been charged with three counts of murder.
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Following these new charges, all previously issued bonds have been revoked.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.
Authorities have identified the suspect in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of longtime Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
During an afternoon press conference, FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed that Phoenix Ikner was responsible for opening fire near the university’s Student Union Building, killing two individuals and injuring six others.
The incident unfolded around 11:50 a.m. on April 17, when the gunman began shooting on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said. Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital following the incident.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell detailed the law enforcement response, stating that officers confronted Ikner and opened fire when he failed to comply with commands.
He was subsequently subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the suspect is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, a veteran of the department with over 18 years of service.
“She has performed her duties with distinction,” McNeil stated, expressing support for Deputy Ikner during what he described as a devastating moment for her and the department.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun previously issued to Deputy Ikner before she transitioned to a new service weapon.
It was reportedly her personal firearm. Authorities also found a shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene, though it remains unclear whether it was discharged during the attack.
“We are continuing to investigate the role each weapon may have played and whether the suspect had access to additional firearms,” McNeil said.
Chief Revell added that Phoenix Ikner had been a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council and had participated in several law enforcement-related programs over the years.
“It’s not surprising to us that he had some level of access to firearms given his history within the agency’s youth programs,” Revell stated.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that Ikner has so far refused to cooperate with investigators or provide any explanation for his actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the investigation and has requested that anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information or media uploads related to the incident submit tips through their official website at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
FSU remains under heightened security as law enforcement continues to process the scene and gather evidence.