On a Sunday afternoon in Tupelo, Mississippi, the life of 13-year-old O'Relious Jevon Real Boyd was tragically cut short. The Black male youth became a victim of the violence that erupted on February 18, 2024. The day began with the sound of gunfire near Hancock and Boggan Drive around noon, prompting a response from the Tupelo Police Department. At the scene, officers found evidence of a shooting and soon learned that a juvenile had been taken to the North Mississippi Medical Center with
injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
As the day progressed, the initial incident took a devastating turn. Around 4:30 p.m., a call led officers to the 300 block of Government Street. There, they made the grim discovery of O'Relious Boyd's body. Investigators quickly linked his death to the earlier shooting, piecing together the events that led to the young boy's demise. The community was left to grapple with the senseless loss of a young life.
In the wake of the teenager's death, the Tupelo Police Department launched a swift investigation. Their efforts led to the apprehension of two adult males, identified as 22-year-old Reginald Thomas and 23-year-old Devontae Sharkey. Both men were taken into custody and subsequently charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting that claimed Boyd's life.
The two suspects appeared before a Municipal Court Judge for their initial hearing. In a decision that underscored the gravity of the charges against them, both Thomas and Sharkey were denied bond. Authorities have indicated that they are not currently searching for any other individuals in connection with this case, bringing a small measure of closure to a community mourning the loss of one of its own.
