Caleb Kinnard

Caleb Kinnard was a recent high school graduate with a bright future, known for his kind heart and sense of humor. A 19-year-old Black man, Caleb had just graduated from Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, a few weeks before his death. Those who knew him remembered an intelligent, thoughtful, and kind young man. His former ninth-grade English teacher recalled that while he was quiet in her class, she later built a relationship with him and saw his true character. Friends and family described him as dependable, sweet, generous, and funny. He worked at a Kroger on I-55 in Jackson and was remembered by a coworker as a "very funny person." He was deeply loved, with family members calling him a "sweet kid" who would forever be in their hearts.

The night of Sunday, June 24, into the early morning of Monday, June 25, 2018, was a violent one in Jackson, with three separate fatal shootings. Just before midnight, Jackson Police Department officers responded to a call in the 1600 block of Riverwood Drive, near Sunnyvale Drive. There, they found Caleb Kinnard suffering from a single gunshot wound to his head. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, but he passed away from his injuries shortly after arriving. Investigators at the scene believed the shooter or shooters may have been in a small, dark-colored sedan. The motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

The Jackson Police Department’s robbery/homicide detectives began an intensive investigation into a string of what the police chief called "senseless acts and senseless violence." The city was experiencing a rise in homicides, and the department's resources were stretched thin. Despite the challenges, detectives worked through the night to find those responsible for the recent killings. Police Chief Anthony Moore reassured the public that the department and its partners would be aggressive in fighting crime to "put those thugs behind bars."

Just four days after Caleb's murder, the investigation led to a significant breakthrough. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Jackson police located and arrested two suspects at an undisclosed location. The suspects were identified as brothers Brontavious Tyler, 19, and Xzavier Tyler, 17. Both were charged with the murder of Caleb Kinnard. Following their arrests, the brothers appeared in court for an initial hearing, where a judge denied bond for both of them.

Caleb's death sent waves of heartbreak through his family, friends, and the Murrah High School community. His former teacher wrote a powerful opinion piece reflecting on his life and the systemic issues that contribute to gun violence affecting young Black men in cities like Jackson. She lamented that Caleb might become "just another number in the gun-violence count" and urged the community to recognize the humanity of each victim. She remembered her open and honest conversations with Caleb and his immeasurable potential. His life, she insisted, mattered and must continue to matter.

The case against Brontavious and Xzavier Tyler moved into the judicial system following their arrests in June 2018. The charges brought a measure of progress for investigators, but for Caleb's loved ones, it marked the beginning of a long and painful legal process. The community was left to mourn a young man described as his sister's keeper and a one-of-a-kind person who made art class more fun just by being there. As of the latest available reports, the case was proceeding through the courts. Anyone with further information regarding the case was asked to call the Jackson Police Department at (601) 960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at (601) 355-8477 to remain anonymous.