JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police are investigating after a pregnant woman was shot and killed on Beasley Road near Brownlee Street Wednesday night. The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m.
The Hinds County coroner identified the victim as Keyunta McWilliams, 23. Officer Sam Brown said McWilliams, who was eight months pregnant, was shot multiple times. She died at the scene, along with her unborn child.
The suspect was identified as Joseph Brown, 17. Jackson Police Chief James Davis said Brown was arrested hours after the shooting. Police tracked his car to a home on Kenmore Drive.
“We’ve been going after Mr. Brown day in and day out, tracking his location, taking leads, any information that comes in regarding on Mr. Brown we followed up on it, and last night was very successful,” said Abraham Thompson, commander of Major Investigations with the Jackson Police Department.
Police believe he is responsible for several homicides this year, including the deaths of Demaro Travis, Tshawn Norwood, Herbert Thomas, Mario Swack and Michael Black. Brown was taken to the Madison County Detention Center without bond.
Police said Brown may be connected to other cases, but those are still being investigated.
Four other suspects were arrested in connection to the Beasley Road homicide. The following suspects have been identified:
- Marzavier Z. Harrington, 22 (Being held at Madison Co. Detention Center)
- Kenya Webster, 22 (Being held at Hinds County Detention Center)
- Antonio Esco (Being held at Hinds County Detention Center)
- Gary Taylor, 34 (Being held at Hinds County Detention Center)
All five suspects have been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count drive-by shooting and one count of shooting into a vehicle.
Police said the suspects followed the victim from a nearby gas station Wednesday night in a silver BMW with a Texas tag that reads: PLY5622.
Jackson Police Chief James Davis said Brown was arrested hours after the shooting. Police tracked his car to a home on Kenmore Drive.
“We’ve been going after Mr. Brown day in and day out, tracking his location, taking leads, any information that comes in regarding on Mr. Brown we followed up on it, and last night was very successful,” said Abraham Thompson, commander of Major Investigations with the Jackson Police Department.
Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said the other four suspects are also being held without bond. Police believe the suspects are also connection to the carjackings that happened recently in the Belhaven neighborhood.