Richard Allen Davis

Richard Allen Davis, a 28-year-old White man, was a father, a boilermaker, and a graduate of George County High School in his community of Lucedale, Mississippi. Known for his love of all types of music and his time as a DJ, he was described as a man who was loved by all who knew him. He had two children, Jaxon Allen Davis and Liliana Grace Davis, and was a passionate fan of the Texas Longhorns.

On the night of Saturday, March 9, 2024, Richard’s life was cut short at the County Line Bar on Highway 613. At around 10:30 p.m., an altercation began inside the bar after another patron, 21-year-old Charles Ike Mason IV, sang karaoke. After initiating a fight, Mason was removed from the establishment. He then went to his vehicle, retrieved a shotgun, and opened fire. Richard Davis was struck by two gunshot wounds to the chest. Though he received medical attention at the scene, he died from his injuries.

Following the shooting, an investigation was launched by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators determined that after firing the weapon, Mason fled in a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Jesse Donavan Holifield. Both men later surrendered to law enforcement without incident and were taken into custody. Mason was charged with first-degree murder, and Holifield was charged with accessory after the fact.

In April 2026, Charles Ike Mason IV stood trial in Jackson County Circuit Court. After a two-day trial where witnesses recounted the events of that night, the jury deliberated for approximately one hour before returning its verdict. Mason was found guilty of first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated assault. The prosecution argued that at every turn, Mason had the choice to walk away but instead chose to escalate the situation to deadly violence.

Following the conviction, Circuit Court Judge Calvin Taylor sentenced Mason to a mandatory term of life in prison for the murder of Richard Davis. He was also sentenced to 20 years for each of the four counts of aggravated assault. Calling the crime “senseless,” the judge told Mason, “All you had to do was leave, and you didn’t.” The case was closed with the conviction and sentencing in April 2026.