In the late summer of 2018 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace and ended the life of 59-year-old Ricky Perkins. On the evening of August 11th, Perkins was one of three individuals struck by bullets in a shooting that ultimately claimed his life. The incident prompted an investigation by local law enforcement, which soon led to the identification of a suspect.
Authorities apprehended 20-year-old Laderick Franklin in connection with the fatal shooting.
Following his arrest, Franklin was formally charged with one count of murder for the death of Ricky Perkins. He also faced two counts of aggravated assault for the injuries sustained by the other two victims in the same incident.
After his arrest, Laderick Franklin was booked into the Forrest County Jail. A judge set his bond at $1.1 million, reflecting the severity of the charges against him. The community was left to grapple with the violent act as the legal process began to unfold for the young man accused of ending a life and injuring two others. Subsequent news reports indicated that Franklin was later indicted on the murder charge by a grand jury, and in a separate and seemingly unrelated case, he also faced a charge of shooting into a dwelling.
