Xavier Johnson was shot and killed on April 20, 2020, in the 500 block of 16th Avenue South in South Columbus, Mississippi. He was 20 years old. The shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m. following an argument; first responders found Johnson in the street and attempted life-saving measures but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police named a person of interest the next day and arrested 18-year-old Tyler Blair Blackwell of Columbus. Johnson and Blackwell were acquainted and had been involved in a dispute immediately before the shooting. Authorities later described the motive as a drug deal that had gone wrong. Initially charged with murder, Blackwell’s case proceeded through the local grand jury and criminal process.

Does anyone have information about the events on 16th Avenue South that afternoon or knew Xavier Johnson?