Lovdai Poindexter, a 20-year-old man from Brandon, Mississippi, was killed in a mass shooting during a Halloween party in the early hours of Sunday, November 1, 2026. He was one of two young people who lost their lives that night, a tragedy that also left six others wounded and shook the city of Jackson.
The night of the shooting, The Hideaway nightclub in the 5100 block of Interstate 55 North Frontage Road was hosting a large Halloween costume party. A crowd of young people was gathered on the dance floor when, at approximately 1:00 a.m., chaos erupted. According to the Jackson Police Department and witness accounts, two unidentified men wearing ski masks entered the venue. At least one of the men produced a high-powered rifle, described as an "AR or AK-style rifle," and opened fire into the crowd.
The sudden burst of violence sent attendees scrambling for their lives.
When the gunfire ceased, Lovdai Poindexter and 18-year-old Jada Henderson, a student at Jackson State University, were found fatally wounded. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Six other young adults, four women and two men between the ages of 18 and 20, were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. Two of the injured remained hospitalized days later, while the other four were treated and released.
The Jackson Police Department (JPD) launched a comprehensive investigation into the mass shooting. Detectives interviewed numerous witnesses and evidence technicians processed the scene, recovering multiple shell casings. Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced that the department had requested assistance from the FBI to help analyze surveillance footage from the area in an effort to identify the suspects. The motive for the shooting remained unclear to investigators.
The investigation expanded beyond just finding the gunmen. Chief Brackney stated that authorities were examining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the event, including local and out-of-town promoters from Memphis, Tennessee, as well as the security companies, management, and ownership of The Hideaway. The chief noted a "pattern there of irresponsibility," pointing out that this was the second homicide connected to the nightclub in 2026 and that a separate shooting had occurred at another event sponsored by the same promoter.
In the wake of the tragedy, Jackson Mayor John Horhn condemned the "senseless violence" and directed the city attorney to explore all legal options to have the property declared a public nuisance and pursue its closure. "No one should have to fear for their life while enjoying an evening out," the mayor said in a statement. Operations at The Hideaway were suspended pending the investigation. Jackson City Council President Vernon Hartley also expressed his grief, stating, "These young people had families who loved them, dreams they were pursuing, and futures ahead of them. Their loss touches all of Jackson."
As of early November 2026, the two shooters remained at large, and no arrests had been made in the case. The investigation is active and ongoing. The Jackson Police Department urges anyone with information regarding the incident or the identities of the suspects to contact them at (601) 960-1800 or Crime Stoppers at (601) 355-TIPS (8477).
