Police: Woman facing murder charges

Published 9:51 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017

A 19-year-old woman faces a charge of murder in the Saturday night shooting death of Benjamin Brooks Jr., Vicksburg police Capt. Sandra Williams said Tuesday.

Quintessa Shelton is accused of shooting Brooks, 19, at 200 Starlight Drive. She has been held at the Issaquena Count Correction Facility since the Saturday night shooting, Williams said. She was expected to have an initial appearance Tuesday in Municipal Court.

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Brooks was shot about 10 p.m. Saturday at the home where he lived with Shelton and her mother. Police still have not determined the motive for the shooting, Williams said.

Brooks’ death is the second homicide in the city for 2017.

Reginald Gaines, 30, died March 8 from a gunshot wound to the head when someone shot into a southbound car on U.S. 61 South in which he was a passenger. He was taken by private vehicle to Merit Health River Region, and later flown to UMC, where he died.

Byron Martez Reynolds, 31, and Christopher Brown, 24, were each charged with second-degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle in connection with the death.

Reynolds’ bond was set at $350,000, and Brown’s at $200,000 during an initial appearance in Municipal Court March 9. Brown was later released after posting bond. Reynolds remains in custody at the Warren County Jail. Authorities said Reynolds also has a hold placed on him by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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