LaZarius Smith was 16 when he was found dead on the roadside near Posey Bridge Road and Mississippi 15 in Saucier, Mississippi, in December 2021. Authorities described the slaying as execution-style; he had been fatally shot in a field known locally for target shooting. LaZarius lived in Gulfport and, according to investigators, was picked up that day by 21-year-old Johnte Vidal Pouerie of Greely, Colorado, and a 14-year-old from Gulfport to go target shooting — an arrangement the victim’s girlfriend later confirmed.

Investigators connected the suspects to social media posts and videos tied to a rap group called Wicked; the material showed firearms and ski masks matching those recovered on the suspects at arrest. U.S. Marshals arrested Pouerie and the teenage suspect; both were charged with first-degree murder with bail set at $1 million. A third person, 19-year-old Damari Demonti Daniels of Gulfport, was charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly assisting the suspects before their capture. What details about motive or the location of the murder weapon remain unaccounted for?