In January 2024, the community of Port Gibson, Mississippi, was shaken by the discovery of a young man's body. On January 18th, acting on a tip, the Port Gibson Police Department ventured into a wooded area on Utopia Drive. There, inside a white SUV, they found 23-year-old Ethen Allen Ray McGrew. He had been fatally shot in the head. The discovery launched an investigation that quickly involved the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities swiftly made arrests in connection with the
death of McGrew, a Black male. Two teenagers were taken into custody and charged as adults. Jor'Derrious Barber, 17, was charged with murder. A judge denied his bond. The second teenager, 16-year-old Jeremiah Timmons, was charged with accessory after the fact. His bond was revoked due to a prior violation. As of late 2024, both Barber and Timmons remained in custody awaiting trial for their alleged roles in McGrew's death. The case has had a profound impact on his family and friends.
