On October 23, 2021, officers in Edwards, Mississippi, responded to a report of a violent altercation on Staple Street and found 44-year-old Octavius Lamar Zachary dead in a front yard. Investigators determined he had died of multiple gunshot wounds after a heated verbal argument with an unidentified man escalated into gunfire.

Detectives established the argument had begun between Zachary and a cousin of the primary suspect, but investigators say that cousin did not fire the shots. The probe pointed to another individual who intervened and allegedly used lethal force.

By early November 2021 police announced arrests in the case. Gervarian Heard was charged with murder in connection with Zachary’s death. Two other men, Adarius Gray and Derrick Sharp, were arrested on charges of accessory to murder after the fact and making false statements to law enforcement.

If anyone in Edwards recalls the events on Staple Street that night or has information about the people involved, please come forward.