In a tragic turn of events on a Sunday evening in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the life of 17-year-old Da’Carmen Flores-Trujillo was cut short. On April 12, 2026, the young Black / African American male was fatally shot, a victim of gun violence that would soon reveal a painful family connection. The incident unfolded on Cypress Avenue, leaving a community in shock and a family torn apart by the loss.
The investigation into the death of Da’Carmen quickly pointed to a close relative as the primary suspect. His own half-brother, 23-year-old Alexander Del Pilar Trujillo, was identified by the Hattiesburg Police Department as the alleged shooter. A manhunt ensued, and with the help of a crucial tip, law enforcement was able to track Alexander to a mobile home in the Stringer community in Jasper County.
A coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Forrest County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force, led to the successful apprehension of Alexander Del Pilar Trujillo. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his younger half-brother.
Following his arrest, Alexander Del Pilar Trujillo had his initial court appearance where his bond was set at $750,000. As a condition of his potential release, he would be required to wear an ankle monitor. The court also ordered him to have no contact with his half-brother's family and to stay away from the scene of the crime as the investigation continues.
