Miss. — Grief and shock swept through this tight‑knit community after 19‑year‑old Caden Yarbrough was killed in a shooting early Thursday morning during a New Year’s Eve gathering in Choctaw County. Friends, neighbors and family members were left searching for answers after celebrations turned into tragedy.
Just before midnight on Thomas Circle Street in Weir, what began as an outdoor celebration wound down in heartbreak when gunfire broke out among a group of young people gathered to ring in the new year. Law enforcement says Yarbrough was struck and suffered fatal injuries.
Emergency crews raced to the scene after someone called 911, but Yarbrough succumbed to his wounds despite their efforts. His loss has been devastating to those who knew him as a quiet, spirited young man with his whole life ahead of him.
Choctaw County Coroner Chris Coleman confirmed the death just after midnight Thursday. The autopsy is being handled by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Pearl as investigators dig into what led to the deadly confrontation.
Weir Police Chief Dillion Cates said one person is now in custody in connection with the shooting. At this time, authorities have not released the suspect’s name and are still determining the exact charges. Formal charges are expected but have not been announced.
Investigators from the Weir Police Department and the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office are piecing together the events that led up to the shooting. So far, no official motive has been released and there’s no indication yet whether others were involved or if this stemmed from an argument or a misunderstanding.
Friends and family have begun sharing memories of Yarbrough, remembering him for his laughter and easygoing nature. In a community where everyone seems connected, his death has left a wide circle of people struggling to make sense of the loss.
Local officials say the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be released as they become available. For now, Weir mourns a young life cut short, and many are questioning how a night of celebration could turn into a tragedy no one saw coming.
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