In the late hours of August 16, 2023, the life of 23-year-old Charles Ray Brooks Jr., known to his loved ones as C.J., was tragically cut short in his hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi. A White/Caucasian male, Brooks was discovered around midnight in the 1200 block of Wright Road, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Despite immediate medical assistance, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shooting that quickly pointed to a suspect: 17-year-old Xavier Weddington. Investigators determined that Weddington was the individual who fired the weapon that killed Brooks. The exact motive and whether the act was intentional or a result of criminal recklessness remained under investigation.
Following the investigation, Xavier Weddington was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. He made his initial appearance in Warren County Justice Court where his bond was set at $150,000. Due to the severity of the crime involving a firearm, Weddington, despite his age, is being prosecuted as an adult. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests in connection with the death of Charles Brooks Jr.
