La’Clinteon Punkin Allen, 40, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of December 15, 2023. The shooting occurred about 1:30 a.m. on Nelson Street in McComb, Mississippi, and left the community seeking answers while police opened an investigation.

Authorities identified 37-year-old James McKnight as a suspect, arrested him, and charged him with murder. McKnight was held at the Pike County Jail on bond set at $750,000. Police have not released a motive for the shooting.

La’Clinteon Allen, born September 2, 1983, is survived by his parents Vanessa Allen and Vernon Ducksworth, a sister, a brother, his grandmother, and three children: sons Jadeon Allen and Montreal Anderson and daughter Natasheria Robins. His family describe his loss as a profound absence in their lives.

If anyone has information about what happened on Nelson Street that night, please come forward.