In the city of Petal, Mississippi, a community was shaken by a tragedy that unfolded on March 10, 2024. Ed’Lauryn Kimbreun Baylis, a 21-year-old Black female affectionately known as 'LaLa,' was fatally shot at a residence on West 4th Avenue. This violent act marked the first murder the city had seen in several years, leaving a profound impact on its residents.
The news of the young woman's untimely death spread quickly, casting a somber mood over the community as they grappled with the loss.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to a suspect who was tragically close to the victim. Petal Police arrested 35-year-old Taebyus Amaud Smith of Monticello in connection with the fatal shooting. The gravity of the situation was amplified when it was confirmed that the suspect was the victim's own brother. Smith was taken into custody on the morning of the incident and booked into the Forrest County Jail, where he faced the serious charge of murder. The motive for this devastating act has not been disclosed by the authorities, leaving friends, family, and the community searching for answers. The Petal Police Department, with assistance from the Forrest County Sheriff's Office and the Hattiesburg Police Department's Crime Scene Investigator, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking event.
