In the small town of Utica, Mississippi, a late-night argument outside a local nightclub called the Sugar Shack escalated into a burst of violence that left one man dead and several others wounded. Jason Devon Harris, a 41-year-old man, was fatally shot just before midnight on April 28, 2024. The Hinds County Sheriff's Office reported that Harris suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident, which resulted in a total of five people being shot, stemmed from a dispute involving Harris and a group of other individuals.
The investigation into the shooting led to the swift arrest of two suspects, who were charged with murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault. The initial arrests included 34-year-old Joseph Crum and 42-year-old Eric Dixon. In a tragic turn, it was revealed that Eric Dixon is the brother of the victim, Jason Harris, adding a painful layer to the deadly confrontation. Investigators recovered a handgun, a revolver, and 23 spent shell casings from the scene of the crime, indicating a significant exchange of gunfire had taken place.
Shortly after the initial arrests, a third suspect was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. Anthony Brown, 48, was arrested and faced the same charges of murder and three counts of aggravated assault as the other two suspects. Brown was reportedly among those injured during the incident. While the specific motive for the argument that led to the shooting was still under investigation, authorities confirmed that the individuals involved knew each other, with some being family members. The other victims of the shooting, who sustained various injuries but survived, were identified as Michael Brown, Deidra Williams, and Lorenzo Cooper. Michael Brown was reported to be in serious condition following the shooting, while the others were treated and released from local hospitals.
