In the early hours of March 5, 2023, a life was tragically cut short in Tupelo, Mississippi. Montavious Jemar Clifton, a 30-year-old Black male, was at Cheers Bar on North Gloster Street when an altercation broke out. The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation, forever altering the course of many lives. During the struggle, another man, 22-year-old Jaedin J. Hatchett, allegedly began to pistol-whip Clifton.
In the midst of this violent assault, the firearm discharged, striking Clifton.
Responding officers found Clifton with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to the North Mississippi Medical Center, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he succumbed to them at the hospital. The Tupelo Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the homicide. Their work led to the swift arrest of Jaedin J. Hatchett, who was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Hatchett was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for his alleged role in the death of Montavious Clifton. In the wake of this tragedy, Clifton's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of Cheers Bar and the owner of the building. The lawsuit claims that the establishment was negligent, alleging that they served alcohol past legal hours and failed to provide adequate security measures, such as checking patrons for weapons. The family contends that these failures contributed to the circumstances that led to Clifton's untimely death.
