On the evening of September 25, 2016, a dispute in Olive Branch, Mississippi, ended in the tragic death of 18-year-old Melik Turner. The incident unfolded outside a residence on Alexander Crossing, where an argument reportedly broke out between Turner and two other individuals, Alexander Mitchell and Javaree Mason.
Neighbors in the quiet residential area reported hearing gunshots at approximately 11 p.m. and witnessed two men fleeing the scene, disappearing into the woods behind the home. When authorities arrived, they discovered Turner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Olive Branch Methodist Hospital for medical attention but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The Olive Branch Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the city's first homicide of the year. Their efforts led them to identify Alexander Mitchell, who was a student at Center Hill High School at the time, as one of the suspects. Mitchell was taken into custody and subsequently held at the DeSoto County Jail on a $1 million bond in connection with Turner's death.
The second suspect, Javaree Mason, initially managed to evade law enforcement and a manhunt ensued. Authorities considered him to be armed and dangerous. However, his time on the run was short-lived, as he was later apprehended and booked into the Shelby County Jail. He was held as a fugitive from justice before facing charges related to the fatal shooting. The investigation concluded that the shooting was the result of an altercation that escalated.
