Crime
20-year-old Tavian Young Killed in Abbeville shooting
Authorities in Abbeville are actively investigating a shooting incident that left one man dead and a second victim hospitalized following a series of emergency calls on Friday, April 18.
According to the Abbeville Police Department, the initial call came in shortly after gunfire was reported in the 700 block of South Guegnon Street.
Moments later, police received a second report indicating that a vehicle had crashed into a utility pole in the parking lot of Landry’s Laundromat on Charity Street.
A third call was then placed advising that another shooting victim had been located on Prairie Avenue.
Investigators determined that the incident began when a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, traveling northbound on Guegnon Street, came under fire from an unknown assailant or assailants who discharged multiple .223 caliber rounds at the vehicle.
Tavian Young, 20, of Abbeville, who was inside the vehicle, was struck by a bullet on the right side of his torso, just beneath the armpit.
A second passenger, an unidentified female, sustained a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
Despite being under fire, the driver of the Tahoe continued north on Guegnon Street, then turned east onto Charity Street before losing control and crashing into a utility pole in the southeast corner of Landry’s Laundromat parking lot.
When first responders arrived at the crash scene, they discovered the vehicle resting against the utility pole with Tavian Young unresponsive inside.
Officers administered CPR, but despite life-saving efforts, Young was pronounced dead at the scene.
Responding units were then directed to Prairie Avenue, where the female victim was found with a gunshot wound to the head.
She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she remains in stable condition, authorities confirmed.
A third passenger, a three-year-old child, was also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The child was not injured and was later released to a family member.
The Abbeville Police Department, in conjunction with other agencies, is continuing its investigation into the shooting.
No arrests have been made at this time, and authorities have not yet released details about potential suspects or a possible motive.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Abbeville Police Department.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.