In the late afternoon of Sunday, June 9, 2024, the life of 20-year-old Lashon King, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Winona, Mississippi. Responding to reports of gunfire around 3:40 p.m., Winona Police Department officers arrived at the 400 block of Sterling Avenue to a grim scene. They discovered King lying in a driveway, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite any life-saving efforts that were made, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The events leading up to the fatal shooting were reportedly rooted in an accusation of theft. The alleged shooter, who was described by the victim's family as a longtime friend, had accused King of stealing his gun, a semi-automatic rifle. In a harrowing turn of events, King's mother and sister were on the phone with the suspect when the violence erupted. They heard the gunshots over the phone as their loved one was killed, a traumatic experience that has left the family shattered and seeking justice. The victim's mother stated her son was shot nearly 20 times.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police arrested Demetric Clark at the scene. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and shooting into a dwelling. A second individual, Ronnie Partlow Jr., later turned himself in to the authorities. Partlow was charged with accessory before the fact to first-degree murder. Both men were taken into custody, and as the investigation commenced, no bond had been set for either suspect.
