Aquarius Nelson was 26 when he was fatally shot at a Walnut Street residence in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on November 2, 2015. He was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Cordarryl Bell was arrested after the shooting and indicted on first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Bell said he acted in self-defense, alleging Nelson and another person had come to retaliate for an earlier fight. No weapon was found on Nelson or in the vehicle that brought him to the scene. Forensic testimony presented at trial indicated Nelson was shot in the back as he was attempting to flee.

The first trial ended in a hung jury. At a second trial, the jury convicted Bell of manslaughter and aggravated assault; he was sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter and 10 years for aggravated assault, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Anyone with information about Aquarius Nelson or the events that night is asked to come forward.