A 17-year-old has been arrested following a fatal shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old in Tunica County, Mississippi. The Tunica County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Mario Donyale Lester Jr. was detained and is expected to face charges including first-degree murder.
Around 11 p.m. on Sunday, authorities were alerted to a shooting at the junction of Carol Street and Edwards Avenue. A young male, later identified as Makenzie Kaleb Thomas, had been shot multiple times. Despite immediate medical attention, Thomas succumbed to his wounds, pronounced dead by the Tunica County Coroner. The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook the events that transpired the night of the incident and appealed to the public for any information that could assist in the investigation.
After an extensive search, Lester, who is currently being held at the Tunica County Detention Center, awaits his initial court appearance for the charges pressed against him. Whitney Thomas, the victim's mother, shared in an interview with WREG the heartbreaking detail that her son and Lester were not just acquaintances but relatives who "hung out together almost daily."
Further updates from the sheriff's office have indicated that an additional suspect related to the incident was also taken into custody, although their identity and specific charges were not disclosed at the time. The case continues to be active, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward, even offering a reward through CrimeStoppers for information leading to an arrest. As per the details provided by Action News 5, investigators encourage anyone with information to contact the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office.
