In Vicksburg, Mississippi, on the evening of June 8, 2021, the life of 11-year-old RaShawn Devon Wilbert, a Black male, was tragically cut short. Responding to a shooting call at a residence on Elizabeth Circle at approximately 7:56 p.m., officers from the Vicksburg Police Department and personnel from the Vicksburg Fire Department discovered RaShawn with a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the young boy's death revealed a heartbreaking family tragedy. RaShawn had been shot by his 14-year-old cousin, Thomas Hardman. Initially, the shooting was considered a tragic accident that occurred while the two boys were playing with a gun. However, as the investigation progressed, the circumstances appeared to be more complex than a simple accident.
Though authorities believed the shooting was not intentional, the gravity of the situation led to serious charges against the older cousin. Thomas Hardman was charged as an adult with manslaughter. Following his arrest, his bond was set at $150,000. The case was then presented to the Warren County Grand Jury, which chose to indict Hardman on manslaughter charges. While the legal proceedings moved forward, the motive behind the shooting was not publicly disclosed by the authorities. The gun used in the incident reportedly belonged to a family friend, who was not charged.
