One of four men indicted in the 2023 shooting death of Preston Wilson Jr. was sentenced to four decades behind bars Wednesday in Warren County by District Court Judge M. James Chaney

Perrion Johnson, who accepted an open plea of second-degree murder earlier in March, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with all 40 years to serve.

The shooting, which occurred in July 2023 at the corner of Cherry and Harris streets, also involved three other defendants who have each pleaded guilty and received sentences in connection with the incident.

Co-defendant John Earl Wallace pleaded guilty to murder in February and received a 30-year sentence. Two other co-defendants, Zackery Bryant and Patrick Ross, each pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and each received 10-year suspended sentences.

During sentencing, Chaney said the incident ruined numerous lives. 

“This is a tragic situation, and these circumstances have become all-too-common in our community,” he said.

Johnson’s mother, Sherrie Johnson, asked the court for leniency Wednesday, stating her son was influenced by the other men involved and the alcohol they provided. Wilson’s grandmother, Carolyn Jackson, however, asked Chaney to consider the loss of her grandson and said he was simply walking home from the store when the incident took place.

Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones during the initial investigation said the shooting stemmed from a previous disagreement. Four individuals, including Wilson, were targeted in the shooting, according to investigators. The three other targeted individuals were not injured.

Michael Warren, who represented the Warren County District Attorney’s Office, asked for the maximum sentence of 40 years, reminding the court Johnson fled the state immediately following the crime. He was later arrested in Texas. The state has dropped additional charges of drive-by shooting, aggravated assault and shooting into an occupied dwelling initially levied against Johnson. 

Noah Drake, Johnson’s attorney, requested a sentence of 30 years, with five-to-10 years to serve, stating that sentence was in line with the sentences received by Johnson’s co-defendants.

Johnson, in addition to his incarceration, was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines plus court costs and fees.