Funds raised in Wilson’s honor going to Thursday’s victims

Published 10:36 am Friday, March 11, 2016

After Sharen Wilson’s alleged killer Rafael McCloud broke out of the Warren County Jail last Wednesday, family, friends and community sought to get him back behind bars by incentivizing tips leading to his recapture with a lucrative reward.

Thursday morning saw a different series of events unfold when a member of a family McCloud had taken hostage shot and killed him.

The GoFundMe account Seeking Justice for Sharen Wilson announced in a Thursday afternoon update the funds will now be handed over to the victims.

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As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, 194 donors had raised $17,425. The account has been open for four days and shared online through Facebook and Twitter more than 1,500 times.

“We are reopening the campaign as some people have asked to make additional donations,” according to and update on the website. “All funds raised by this campaign will go to the victims who were attacked this morning in Vicksburg.“

The update to the website encouraged supporters to keep all who have been involved in the ordeal in their thoughts and prayers.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said the family has been advised of the victim’s assistance program through the attorney general’s office.

“It is my understanding we are advised them and they have made the request,” he said. “The medical and any costs can be paid by the victim’s coordinator fund at the AG’s office.”

Crime Stoppers Investigator Chuck Harrison said he and the board of directors are working now to see what can be done in regard to getting additional funds to the victims.

At this time, it is not known if the money from the City of Vicksburg, Warren County and Crime Stoppers can be given to the victims because the money was originally stipulated to be awarded to someone who provided a tip that led to McCloud’s arrest.

To donate to the fund going to McCloud’s most recent victims, visit gofundme.com/justiceforsharen.