In the spring of 2017, the life of 19-year-old Daiquarrius Pounds was tragically cut short in Tupelo, Mississippi. On the afternoon of May 19th, police responded to a call of shots fired on Shonda Circle, where they discovered Pounds' body. He had been fatally shot. A former football player for Tupelo High School, Pounds' death sent ripples through the community. The investigation into his death quickly focused on a surprising suspect: his 16-year-old friend, Keithan Griffin. Griffin surrendered to the police at the scene and was subsequently taken into custody.
The story that unfolded revealed a complex and tragic relationship between the two young men. Months prior to the fatal shooting, in December 2016, a shooting at Theron Nichols Park had left Griffin paralyzed. Daiquarrius Pounds was one of seven individuals arrested in connection with that earlier incident, facing a charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. Despite this, the friendship between Pounds and Griffin reportedly deepened after Griffin's injury. Pounds would regularly help his friend, assisting him in and out of his wheelchair and with daily tasks. On the very day of the fatal shooting, Pounds had taken Griffin to a barbershop.
Initially, Keithan Griffin was charged with murder and his bond was set at one million dollars. However, the legal proceedings took a turn that reflected the intricate and sorrowful nature of the case. In December 2018, Griffin, then 17, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of culpable negligence manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. He was prosecuted as an adult. The defense argued that the shooting was a tragic accident, stating that the two friends had been playing with a gun, pretending to dodge bullets, when it unintentionally discharged. Witnesses described Griffin as being remorseful at the scene.
The court heard how Pounds' family still held love for Griffin, a factor that Circuit Court Judge Paul Funderburk took into consideration during sentencing. Prosecutors had recommended a ten-year sentence, but the judge ultimately sentenced Keithan Griffin to five years in prison. During the hearing, a quiet Griffin expressed his remorse, stating that Pounds was his best friend and like a brother to him. The judge acknowledged the profound loss and the unusual circumstances, noting that Griffin would likely carry the emotional burden of his actions for the rest of his life.
