On Jan. 26, 2026, at about 1:54 p.m., officers were dispatched to Lewis Circle in reference to a shooting, authorities said. While officers were en route, the 16-year-old victim, A’king Walton, was taken to Highland Community Hospital by a private vehicle. Walton was struck once; authorities said the wound was serious but not believed to be life-threatening. He was treated at the hospital and released.
At about 6:15 p.m. the same day, 13-year-old Khilon Wade turned himself in and was charged with aggravated assault, authorities said. As the investigation continued, officials said multiple rounds were fired by both Wade and Walton. On Jan. 27, Walton was also charged with aggravated assault. A third person fired shots and faces pending charges, authorities said.
Both Wade and Walton appeared before a judge where probable cause was established and no bond was set, authorities said. Officials urged community involvement to curb youth violence, saying, “We are not a community known for violent crime and we won’t become one.”
Investigators are working to identify others who were present and to determine where the firearms came from and how the juveniles obtained them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Captain Rhonda Johnson at 601-749-5482 or MS Coast Crimestoppers at 877-787-5898, authorities said. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
