Father and two sons arrested in connection with the murder of a 17 year old in Claiborne County

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — 

A father and his two sons have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in Claiborne County.

According to the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 5:48 p.m. June 18 to a report of a shooting near the intersection of Hinds Street and Tillman Road by the Bikini Lounge in Pattison.

Upon arrival, deputies and emergency personnel found 17-year-old Dawaynemonion Hedrick suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, Hedrick died from his injuries.

Sheriff Edward L. Goods Sr. requested assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation due to the nature of the case. Authorities said investigators with the sheriff’s office and MBI quickly identified suspects and took them into custody.

Seventeen-year-old Camelo Hedrick and Rakem J. Townsend have each been charged with murder.

Authorities also arrested Vernard Townsend, the father of the two suspects, and charged him with accessory to murder after the fact, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of Mississippi’s Jeremy Todd Malone Law, which prohibits the manufacture, possession and use of machine gun conversion devices.

Sheriff Goods thanked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, investigators and deputies for their work in identifying and arresting the suspects.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges could be filed as authorities continue to review evidence.

Goods extended condolences to the family and loved ones of Dawaynemonion Hedrick and asked the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.