The sudden and tragic loss of Dontavious Weekly has left a deep wound in the heart of Yazoo City, Mississippi, a tight-knit community now grappling with grief and unanswered questions. On the evening of Friday, March 28, 2025, what began as a casual basketball game among friends turned into a scene of horror when gunfire erupted, claiming the life of the 29-year-old local resident. The incident, which unfolded just before 7:00 p.m. in the 300 block of Chapman Street, has shaken residents and prompted an urgent manhunt for the suspect responsible for this senseless act of violence.
According to authorities, a group of adults was engaged in a friendly game on an outdoor court when the unthinkable happened. An unidentified individual opened fire, sending players and bystanders scrambling for safety. Amid the chaos, two men were struck by bullets. One victim, whose injuries were fortunately not life-threatening, managed to reach a local hospital in a private vehicle, where he is now receiving treatment. Tragically, Dontavious Weekly was not so fortunate. Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers confirmed that Weekly was pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut short in an instant. The coroner’s somber announcement underscored the gravity of the loss, as Weekly’s family and friends were left to mourn a man taken far too soon.
Yazoo City Police Chief Terry Gann addressed the press with a measured tone, revealing that law enforcement has identified a suspect in connection with the shooting. However, the suspect’s name remains withheld as investigators work diligently to apprehend him. Chief Gann emphasized that the search is ongoing, with officers combing through evidence and witness accounts to piece together the events that led to the deadly outburst. While the motive behind the attack has not yet been disclosed, the police are treating the case with the utmost urgency, determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.
The basketball court on Chapman Street, once a place of laughter and camaraderie, now stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of life in a community unaccustomed to such violence. Residents describe Weekly as a familiar face, a man known for his warm presence and love for the game that brought people together. His death has sent ripples of sorrow through Yazoo City, a town of fewer than 11,000 people where personal connections run deep. Friends have begun sharing memories of Weekly’s infectious smile and competitive spirit, while his family struggles to comprehend the void left by his absence.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are calling on the public for assistance. Chief Gann has urged anyone with information—no matter how small it may seem—to come forward, stressing that community cooperation could be the key to resolving this case swiftly. The police department has set up a dedicated line for tips, hoping to uncover leads that will help them locate the suspect, who remains at large as of Saturday, March 29.
This shooting marks yet another chapter in Yazoo City’s ongoing struggle with sporadic gun violence, a challenge that has surfaced in recent years with incidents ranging from targeted attacks to seemingly random acts. Just weeks ago, local news outlets reported on a separate shooting at an apartment complex that left two men injured, a case that resulted in arrests but offered little comfort to a community still healing. For many residents, Weekly’s death feels like a breaking point, a call to address the underlying issues that allow such tragedies to occur.
In the days ahead, Yazoo City will undoubtedly rally around Weekly’s loved ones, offering support in the form of vigils, prayers, and shared stories of a man who touched so many lives. Yet, beneath the collective mourning lies a palpable tension—a desire for answers and accountability. As police continue their search for the suspect, the community waits, hoping that justice will provide some measure of peace to a town forever changed by a single, devastating moment on a basketball court.
