In the early days of January 2023, the city of Greenville, Mississippi, was rocked by its first homicide of the year. On January 10th, police responded to a call on the 300 block of East Moore Street, where they discovered the body of 40-year-old Desmond McKnight, a Black/African American male. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and the Washington County Coroner's Office pronounced him dead at the scene. The news of his violent death sent ripples of concern and sorrow through the community.
The Greenville Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly led them to two suspects: 20-year-old Tazarius 'Lil Cately' Williams and 21-year-old Rodney Barney, both residents of Greenville. As it turned out, Williams and Barney were already in police custody for a separate incident that had occurred just two days after McKnight's death. In that case, they were arrested in connection with a shooting on East Walker Street that left a 14-year-old injured.
With the suspects already detained, investigators were able to build their case, and murder warrants were secured for both Williams and Barney in connection with the death of Desmond McKnight. Following the arrests, Greenville Police Chief Marcus Turner addressed the public, reaffirming the department's dedication to combating violent gun crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. He made a plea to the community, urging young people to put down their guns and avoid the severe consequences of their actions. As of late 2024, both Tazarius Williams and Rodney Barney remained in custody, awaiting trial for the murder of Desmond McKnight.
