In the early morning hours of June 5, 2022, the life of Darian Donyel Hixson, a 24-year-old African American woman, was tragically cut short in a mass shooting outside Mary's Bar & Grill on McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The chaotic scene resulted in two other fatalities, Kevin Brown, 35, and Myrakle Moss, 25. In total, fourteen people suffered gunshot wounds, and three others were injured by vehicles as they attempted to escape the area.
Darian was a beloved member of the
Chattanooga community, born on May 7, 1998. A 2016 graduate of Central High School, she was a passionate and talented basketball player. Her skills on the court earned her a spot at Cleveland State Community College, and she later attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Beyond her athletic pursuits, Darian was dedicated to her community, mentoring young athletes and working with organizations like Girls Inc. She also embarked on careers in hospitality, tourism, and modeling, leaving a positive impression on those she met.
In the wake of the shooting, authorities arrested 28-year-old Garrian King in connection with the incident. King, a convicted felon, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the time of the shooting, he was on supervised release for a prior firearm-related conviction. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him near the scene of the crime holding a firearm.
The community mourned the loss of a vibrant and selfless individual. Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil at Central High School to honor Darian's memory. Her father, Darius Hixson, spoke of the profound grief and the void left by her untimely passing, a sentiment shared by all who knew her.
