In the spring of 2023, the life of 16-year-old Haeleigh Madison Stamper was tragically cut short. A junior at Hancock High School, she passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. Haeleigh was known for her academic achievements, even taking college classes with the goal of an early graduation. Described as a sweet soul with a beautiful smile that could light up a room, she was a loyal friend who stood up against bullying.
On the night of the incident, Haeleigh
was at an after-prom party held in the 1000 block of Old Blue Meadows Road. It was there that gunfire erupted, resulting in a mass shooting. Haeleigh was one of six people shot, all between the ages of 15 and 18. She and 18-year-old De'Arreis “DD” Smith, both students at Hancock High School, succumbed to their injuries at a hospital in New Orleans. Four other teenagers were also wounded in the shooting.
Following the shooting, Bay St. Louis police identified 19-year-old Cameron Everest Brand of Pass Christian as the sole shooter based on witness and victim statements. He was arrested at his home and subsequently charged with two counts of murder and four counts of aggravated assault. Brand was denied bail and is being held at the Hancock County jail. Reports indicate that he had previous encounters with law enforcement, with charges that included carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana, and domestic violence.
