A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed Monday in Friars Point, Mississippi, according to local authorities. Investigators identified him as Marterion Magsby and said a string of related shootings in the area also left several other children hurt, including a 2-year-old struck while inside a vehicle. In response, the Coahoma County School District shifted at least one campus to virtual learning as law enforcement boosted patrols around town. Officials said the attacks appeared random, and the case remains under active investigation.
What investigators say
Authorities said Magsby was found with a fatal gunshot wound on the 1600 block of Sheriff Ridge Road, and that the incidents unfolded across parts of the Friars Point area, according to FOX13 Memphis. Investigators told the station that a 2-year-old was shot while riding in a vehicle on Highway 61 and that other children were also wounded but survived. Detectives said they believe suspects may have been riding in a black sedan and that there could be more than one shooter involved. Another car was hit by bullets, but no one inside was injured. No arrests have been made, and investigators said they are tracking multiple leads.
Schools and community reaction
The Coahoma County School District shifted Coahoma High School to virtual learning for two days while leaders reviewed safety concerns and notified families. Neighbors described a community on edge. Makayla Brown, who lives a block from where some of the violence took place, told FOX13 Memphis, "Not safe. That's why we stay in the house." Law enforcement officials said they have stepped up patrols across Coahoma County, both to calm residents and to drum up tips.
Delta context
The shootings are the latest in a Delta region that has dealt with repeated gun violence in recent years. A separate drive-by style shooting in Friars Point in December 2023 killed a 10-year-old child, according to reporting at the time. Action News 5 covered that case, while statewide reporting has pointed to rising violence and mounting pressure on victims' families in some Delta communities. Mississippi Today examined those trends and the hurdles many families face after violent crime.
What’s next
Sheriff's investigators have asked anyone with information to contact the Coahoma County Sheriff's Office. Officials have not released any suspect descriptions or suggested a motive. No one is in custody, and prosecutors have not announced charges. The investigation continues as detectives review evidence and search for witnesses or video that could help piece together what happened.
