Jerni White was a 22-year-old Black man from West Point, Mississippi, remembered for his outgoing personality and warm smile. Called Shug by friends and family, he graduated West Point High School in 2018, played football there, and had begun a career as a truck driver. He was born April 8, 2000, to William and Tracy White and was a much‑loved son and brother.

Shortly before midnight on September 25, 2022, gunfire broke out at the Timberlane Apartments in West Point. Three people were wounded; Jerni was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center and died of his injuries on September 26, 2022. The West Point Police Department identified multiple suspects and six men were arrested and charged in connection with his death: Jaylan Heard, Renaldo Carrothers, Lamarquez Evans, Terrance Rowe, Shaunmicah Strong, and Kevin Holliday Jr. A Clay County grand jury indicted all six on first‑degree murder charges in July 2024, with bond set at $200,000 for Holliday Jr. and $500,000 for the others.

The first case to go to trial was Heard’s. In July 2026 jurors heard two days of testimony, but the judge declared a mistrial after a juror disclosed they lived at Timberlane Apartments. A new trial for Heard was scheduled for January 2027. Does anyone who knew Jerni or was at Timberlane that night have information to share?