Elijah Keyon Minor, a funny and outgoing 16-year-old known to friends as "Eli," was a student at Ridgeland High School in Mississippi who knew how to light up a room. Described as a good-hearted kid, he was an active and loved member of the local BMX community, often competing in races at the Mag Ridge BMX Park. His peers and fellow riders knew him as an outstanding young man who was cherished by everyone he met.
His sudden death left a void in a community that valued his vibrant presence.
On the afternoon of Friday, October 9, 2026, Elijah was a passenger in a car at the Aspen Apartments on Old Canton Road in his hometown of Ridgeland. Around 4:45 p.m., a single gunshot struck him in the back. In a desperate attempt to get help, the driver of the vehicle sped away from the apartment complex and stopped in the parking lot of Smile Straight Orthodontics, located at the intersection of Old Canton Road and Lake Harbour Drive. First responders, including police, firefighters, and EMS personnel, were called to the scene and immediately began performing lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, Elijah Keyon Minor succumbed to his injuries.
The Ridgeland Police Department launched an immediate investigation into the shooting. Detectives quickly determined that the shooting had not occurred at the orthodontist's office but in the parking lot of the nearby Aspen Apartments. Their investigation led them to identify two suspects, both of whom were younger than the victim. Within days, the department announced the arrests of 15-year-old Daniel Banks Jr. and 15-year-old Curtice Pierre Tucker, both residents of Ridgeland.
The two teenagers were taken into custody and charged as adults with culpable-negligence manslaughter in connection with Elijah's death. Following their arrests, they were held without bond at the Madison County Detention Center. According to Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers, both suspects were scheduled to make their initial appearance before a Ridgeland Municipal Court judge on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The case was set to proceed through the Madison County court system.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community that had loved Elijah came together to support his family and honor his memory. The Mag Ridge BMX Park, where Elijah had spent many happy hours, organized a memorial race to coincide with the State Championship weekend. The event served as a fundraiser, with all proceeds from the race, along with donations collected throughout the weekend, going directly to Elijah's mother to help with funeral expenses. It was a testament to the impact the young man had on his fellow riders and their families.
As of the latest available reports in October 2026, the case against Daniel Banks Jr. and Curtice Pierre Tucker was entering the judicial process. The charges of culpable-negligence manslaughter marked the beginning of a legal battle to determine accountability for the shooting that ended a promising young life. The community was left to mourn a vibrant teenager, remembered for his good heart and infectious ability to bring joy to those around him, while awaiting the resolution of the court proceedings.
