In the summer of 2021, a young man's life was cut short in a burst of violence that shattered the evening quiet of a Brookhaven, Mississippi neighborhood. On the night of Wednesday, July 7th, officers from the Brookhaven Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Hines Street following a report of gunfire. Upon their arrival at the scene, they discovered the body of 18-year-old Kemon Funchess in the backyard of the home.
He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on another young man, 18-year-old Kentory Benson Jr., who resided at the home where the incident occurred. Benson was taken into custody at the crime scene that same night, initially on a charge of violating his parole. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing an ankle monitor. As the investigation progressed, law enforcement officials identified Benson as the shooter and subsequently upgraded his charges to murder. Investigators also recovered a weapon they believe was used in the commission of the crime.
In the weeks following the tragic event, the Brookhaven Police Department continued to delve into the circumstances surrounding Kemon Funchess's death. The ongoing investigation led authorities to believe that evidence at the crime scene may have been tampered with. Law enforcement officials publicly stated their commitment to pursuing charges against anyone found to have interfered with the investigation, signaling that the quest for justice for the slain teenager was far from over. The case underscored a commitment from local law enforcement to not only hold the primary suspect accountable but also anyone who may have attempted to obstruct the path to truth and justice for the victim and his family.
