In the early hours of September 27, 2021, the life of 30-year-old Bradley Lamar 'Brad' Lackey was tragically cut short in his Meridian, Mississippi, residence. A White male known for his sense of humor and loving personality, Lackey was a father to two children, a son and a daughter. The quiet of the morning was shattered when Lauderdale County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call about a possible shooting on Gilbert Joyner Road at approximately 1 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered that Lackey had been fatally shot in the head.
The investigation into Lackey's death swiftly pointed to a suspect, 16-year-old Jacob Hyde. An intensive search involving K9 units, helicopters, and foot patrols ensued in the area of Gilbert Joyner Road. Later that same afternoon, Hyde was located and taken into custody without incident by the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department. He was subsequently charged with murder, and his bond was set at a significant $1 million.
As the investigation continued to unfold, a further development emerged with the arrest of the suspect's mother, 53-year-old Dawanna Renee Budd. Investigators uncovered evidence leading to her arrest, and she was charged with accessory after the fact, with her bond set at $20,000. While a definitive motive for the shooting remains unclear, authorities have indicated a possible relationship existed between Budd and Brad Lackey prior to his death. The case was expected to be presented to a grand jury for indictment.
