RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Rankin County deputies announced a 16-year-old was arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting.

Deputies responded to Bridgewater Apartments on Avalon Way just before 2:30 p.m. on October 19, 2025.

Investigator Tyler Burnell, with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies located a juvenile male. He said the juvenile was the victim of a physical assault and shots had been fired at the juvenile.

Investigators arrived and began processing the scene, which included collecting the shell casings.

After getting access to surveillance video, Burnell said deputies discovered that the juvenile victim had been physically assaulted by two assailants before the shooting. As the two suspects re-entered a silver four-door passenger car and left the apartment complex, a passenger fired multiple shots at the victim.

Investigators identified Xavior Balderas, 16, as the suspect. A search warrant was later executed at Balderas’ home. During that search, Burnell said a face mask worn by Balderas during the incident was recovered in addition the clothes he was wearing.

On October 20, 2025, Balderas made his initial appearance in court where he was charged as an adult for drive-by shooting and tampering with physical evidence.

This is an ongoing investigation, and further arrests are possible.