In the early morning hours of June 8, 2020, the quiet of Boswell Lofton Road in Simpson County, Mississippi, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. When deputies from the Simpson County Sheriff's Office arrived at a home around 3:30 a.m., they discovered a tragic scene. Seventeen-year-old Briceyah Mills of Magee, a Black male, was found deceased at the scene, a victim of the violence that had erupted.
Two other young men had also been shot: 19-year-old Datavion Fairley and 24-year-old Jarvis Loftin. Fairley was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries, while Loftin was treated for non-life-threatening wounds.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly led authorities to believe that the victims likely knew their attackers. Witnesses reported hearing chaos along with the gunshots, and investigators began working to piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter. The case drew the attention of the community, with family members describing Mills as a good kid who was well-loved and showed concern for others. They, along with law enforcement, pleaded for anyone with information to come forward to help bring those responsible to justice.
As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Cody Emmonte Hall as a suspect in the killings. He faces two counts of capital murder and five counts of armed robbery in connection with the incident. Law enforcement officials considered Hall to be armed and dangerous and offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. Investigators also worked to obtain surveillance footage from the nearby Boswell Regional Center, hoping it might help identify all individuals involved in the shooting. Sheriff Paul Mullins indicated that there might be more than one suspect, and urged those involved to turn themselves in.
