In the small town of Waynesboro, Mississippi, a young life was abruptly cut short on the evening of Friday, March 29, 2024. Darryous Olivas, a 19-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot in an incident that has since left the community seeking answers. Born on June 6, 2004, in Anaheim, California, Olivas had moved to the Mississippi Coast at the age of six and had become a well-known member of his community. He was an active member of the Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as an usher.
The events leading to Olivas's death unfolded at a residence on Gray Street. Around 7:30 p.m., officers from the Waynesboro Police Department were dispatched to the scene following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered that Olivas had sustained gunshot wounds. Despite any efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries. The preliminary investigation suggests that a disagreement between Olivas and another individual escalated, tragically culminating in the fatal shooting.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, law enforcement officials began a swift investigation. Just minutes after midnight, their efforts led to the arrest of a suspect. Marcus Monte Coleman, also 19 years old, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. In addition to the murder charge, Coleman also faced charges for possession of marijuana and discharging a firearm within the city limits.
Following his arrest, Coleman made his initial court appearance before a Municipal Court Judge. During the hearing, he was informed of the serious nature of the first-degree murder charge and the potential penalty of life in prison. Coleman requested a court-appointed attorney and a preliminary hearing was scheduled. An investigator noted that Coleman did not attempt to flee when confronted by officers and had been respectful throughout the process. The judge set Coleman's bond at $1 million.
