Breanna Alexus Franklin

Breanna Alexus Franklin was a beloved mother, daughter, and friend known for a warm heart and an infectious smile that could brighten any room. A 23-year-old Black/African American female, she was born in Macon, Mississippi, and graduated with honors from Noxubee County High School in 2019, where she was part of the JROTC program. Friends and family remembered her positive energy and devotion to her young son, Antonio Roby Jr., who was her world. Her legacy was one of compassion and kindness, teaching those around her the importance of living each day to the fullest.

In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, that life full of promise was tragically cut short. At around 2 a.m., Breanna was a passenger in a vehicle on Pearl Street in her hometown of Macon. Another car pulled alongside them, and a single shot was fired through the passenger side window, striking her. Breanna was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Macon Police Department, with assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, launched an intensive homicide investigation. Investigators soon determined the shooting likely stemmed from a domestic dispute and identified a suspect.

Police arrested Ciara Sharda Latham and charged her with aggravated domestic violence and murder. Latham made her initial court appearance on July 8, 2024, and was denied bond. In August 2024, her bond was set at $100,000. As of that month, Latham remained in jail awaiting trial.

While the legal process moves forward, Breanna's family is left to navigate a future without her. Her sister, Bresha Franklin, expressed her hope for a just outcome, stating, "I just pray that my sister gets the justice she deserves." Her aunt, Dianne Hairston, noted that the community was divided and asked for an end to negative social media posts so the family could grieve properly.