Joseph William Joey Whitt, 47, of Moss Point, Mississippi, was killed by a stray bullet that entered his River Pine Drive home during New Year’s celebrations in the early hours of January 1, 2026. A family member found him on the floor at about 8 a.m.; responding officers discovered he had died of a gunshot wound. Investigators found no sign of forced entry and concluded the shooting was accidental rather than a deliberate attack inside the residence.
Police said the reconstruction pointed to celebratory gunfire at a nearby gathering. The investigation focused on three teenagers, aged 15 to 16, who were allegedly firing weapons that night. By January 7 all three had been taken into custody; local reporting said they faced negligent manslaughter or manslaughter charges. Whitt’s survivors include his children Savannah Payton Whitt and Noah Whitt, partner Melissa A. Bennett, parents Ricky and Vickie Whitt, and brother Richard Whitt. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
What anyone who was in that neighborhood on New Year’s Eve or has information about the gathering can add to the timeline?
Hello everyone. I’m Joseph Whitt’s former wife and the mother of our children.
Our family is still waiting for the investigation to be completed, and because of that I want to be careful not to discuss anything that could affect the case or share information that isn’t public.
I’m hoping to hear from people with experience in homicide investigations, forensic science, crime scene reconstruction, prosecutors’ offices, or families who have been through a similar process.
One question that has weighed heavily on us is communication. Is it common for the victim’s family to go six months with very little information? Is it normal for investigators or prosecutors not to discuss the case, evidence, or progress with the family while the investigation is ongoing?
We understand there are things that can’t be shared, but we’re trying to understand what is typical in cases like this.
We’re not looking to accuse anyone or interfere with the investigation. We’re simply trying to better understand the process while we continue waiting for answers and justice for Joey.
Unfortunately lack of communication is common in homicide cases. They try to give out as little information as possible so they don't taint witnesses or give out speculative information. Law enforcement doesn't want to give out bad info to the families. There is always ways to request at least some communication with law enforcement. Every jurisdiction is a little different. Sometimes it's a form, sometimes it's a phone call.
I definitely understand that aspect. However from the very beginning there’s been nothing. The very few details we know have been given from an outside source unrelated to PD or DA. We call each month to see if there is anything happening or just to make sure it’s even still open. All we are told is it’s an active investigation. We weren’t really sure how all of this works. I suppose this is the normal.
It sure is hard to grieve when a person is here one day and the next their life is taken from them. And no one can tell you how or why that happened. Life for the people that loved them stops. And it’s hard to move forward with anything.
