In the late hours of a Tuesday night in Gulfport, Mississippi, Chavis Allen, a 38-year-old man, was in his own front yard on Dogwood Court when violence shattered the neighborhood's quiet. Gunfire erupted, and Allen was struck in the chest. The incident, which occurred on June 7, 2016, prompted a call to the police at 11:26 p.m. Emergency services transported Allen to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, where he underwent surgery.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 4:23 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.
Remembered by his family as a man with a 'heart of gold' who largely kept to himself, Allen's death was a profound shock to his loved ones. A former athlete who played basketball and football at Harrison Central High, he was known for being a proud and loving father to his young daughter. Relatives described his daughter as the greatest joy in his life. The community reeled from the loss, with family and friends gathering at his home to mourn and find solace in each other's company.
The investigation into Chavis Allen's death quickly led to a suspect. Police arrested 19-year-old Gary Desean Perkins, charging him with murder in connection with the shooting. Perkins was taken into custody and held at the Harrison County jail on a $1 million bond. Authorities did not immediately release details on how they connected Perkins to the crime. At the time of his arrest for Allen's murder, Perkins had a history of several misdemeanor charges.
