On the morning of October 26, 2024, a domestic dispute in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, ended with the death of 36-year-old Zikoya Johnson Echols, a Black/African American nurse and mother of two. The argument reportedly began after her husband, 50-year-old Kenrod Cartez Echols, saw a video of her dancing with another man and demanded her phone. When she refused, the confrontation turned violent and Kenrod Echols is accused of shooting Zikoya in the abdomen.

Despite her wound, Zikoya Johnson Echols managed to get into her car and attempted to drive to the hospital but lost control of the vehicle from blood loss and crashed into a building on Park Place Avenue. Responding officers found her unresponsive; she was pronounced dead at the scene after a gunshot wound was discovered. Kenrod Echols later contacted authorities, was taken into custody, and was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and malicious mischief. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment and is jailed in Forrest County. The case is pending trial.

Can anyone with information about the incident or who knew Zikoya or her family share tips with Hattiesburg Police?