In the early morning hours of November 25, 2016, a Thanksgiving night rap concert at Bryan Union Hall in West Point, Mississippi, turned into a scene of tragedy. Dajah L. Shaw, a 21-year-old female, was fatally shot when gunfire erupted at the event. She was struck in the chest and later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus. The concert, featuring the artist Moneybagg Yo, was attended by a crowd of younger people, which instantly became a chaotic crime scene.
Born on April 18, 1995, Dajah was the daughter of Okemiah P. Cunningham and Derrick L. Shaw. Her sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving her family searching for answers. Funeral services were held on December 2, 2016, at Third Mt. Olive M.B. Church, with her burial at Strong Hill M.B. Church Cemetery.
In the wake of the shooting, the West Point Police Department launched an investigation, but it was immediately hampered by a lack of cooperation from witnesses. Investigators found shell casings from two different weapons at the scene, suggesting multiple shooters may have been involved. Despite the numerous people present at the concert, law enforcement struggled to get a clear account of what transpired. Police Chief Tim Brinkley issued a public plea for anyone with cellphone video of the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Months after Dajah's death, with no arrests made, her family continued to seek justice. Their attorney took the unconventional step of releasing a radio advertisement in July 2017, hoping to appeal to the age group that attended the concert and encourage someone to provide information, even anonymously. The West Point Assistant Police Chief, Albert Lee, confirmed at the time that the investigation was still active, with law enforcement following leads and working with outside agencies to analyze evidence from the crime scene. However, despite these efforts, there have been no public reports of any suspects being identified or arrested in connection with the murder of Dajah Shaw. The case remains an unsolved homicide, a painful reminder of a life cut short by gun violence.
