In the small community of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, a life was tragically cut short on the evening of March 28, 2026. Kawanza Burns, a 26-year-old man, was fatally shot in an incident that sent shockwaves through the town. The evening was shattered by violence when law enforcement received a call for assistance regarding a shooting at 501 N. Edwards Ave.
around 6:28 p.m.
Upon their arrival, deputies from the Bolivar County Sheriff's Office, assisting the Mound Bayou Police Department, discovered Burns suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite any efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The loss of the young man, known to some by the nickname "Mojo," was an immediate and devastating blow to his loved ones and the wider community.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the investigation quickly pointed to a suspect. Authorities apprehended 24-year-old Tommy Phillips, also a resident of Mound Bayou, shortly after the incident. Phillips was subsequently charged with the murder of Kawanza Burns, bringing a swift but somber turn to the case.
Following his arrest, Tommy Phillips was taken into custody and is being held at the Bolivar County Regional Correctional Facility. He is currently awaiting his initial court appearance, where the legal proceedings that will determine the next chapter in this tragic story will begin to unfold. The community now waits for justice to be served as they mourn the untimely loss of a young life.
