Ladarius Brown, a 22-year-old man who had recently started his dream job as a truck driver, was remembered by his mother as the sweetest guy you could ever meet. Described as caring, funny, humble, and the life of the party, Ladarius was a beloved son and brother whose laughter and even his irritating antics were deeply missed. His mother, Vicky Pernell, recalled the everyday moments of craziness and laughter he brought to their family, cherishing the memories of a life that was just beginning
to take shape.
On the evening of Saturday, October 3, 2026, Ladarius was simply waiting for a friend outside the Jitney Junior gas station on Old Highway 49 in his hometown of Tchula, Mississippi. Between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m., while he was minding his own business, gunfire erupted. A drive-by shooter opened fire, and Ladarius, an innocent bystander, was caught in the crossfire. He was struck by a single stray bullet to the chest. The night his life was taken due to what his mother called a senseless shooting would become a night she would never forget.
Officers from the Tchula Police Department and the Holmes County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene. The shooting marked the second such incident in the city in just a week. Given the circumstances, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the case. Despite the presence of multiple people at the gas station at the time of the shooting, investigators have struggled to get witnesses to come forward with information.
In the days and weeks that followed, no arrests were made, leaving Ladarius's family with the profound pain of their loss compounded by the knowledge that the person responsible remained free. His mother expressed both sadness and anger that out of all the people present, no one had apparently seen or heard anything that could lead to an arrest. The silence from potential witnesses has been a significant hurdle for law enforcement and a source of deep frustration for the family.
Determined to find justice for her son, Vicky Pernell and her family have taken action. They pooled their resources to offer a reward of more than $12,000 for any information that leads to solving the case. The family has made public pleas for help, assuring anyone with knowledge of the crime that they can provide information anonymously. His mother has even invited people to contact her directly and anonymously through social media, stating, "I'm not asking for your name, just asking for help. I just want justice for my son because this was not right."
As of October 2026, the investigation into the murder of Ladarius Brown is active and ongoing. His family continues to grieve the sudden and tragic loss of a young man who, they insist, did not bother anyone. The $12,000 reward for information remains available. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tchula Police Department, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, or Vicky Pernell on social media.
