A 16-year-old is dead and at least two others injured following a night of gunfire in Brookhaven, stemming from ongoing conflicts between local teen groups.
According to Lincoln County Coroner Blake Wallace, the victim, identified as Kayden Mohon, was fatally shot. Authorities responded to a call at 933 Ozark Lane at 6:23 p.m. It remains unclear if Mohon was shot at this location or transported there after being shot elsewhere.
Another individual was also shot at the Ozark Lane residence and transported to the hospital via private vehicle. This person is expected to recover.
The violence continued with a series of shootings throughout the night. At 6:41 p.m., shots were fired at a home and vehicle on 1020 Crooked Lane. This was followed by a car being shot at 204 Mildred Street at 7:12 p.m., and another vehicle targeted at 200 East Court Street at 7:53 p.m.
Reports of gunfire were also received from the area of 200 Rogers Circle at 9:19 p.m., though no damage was found. Shortly after, at 9:21 p.m., a home was hit at 311 Industrial Park Road.
The violence extended into the early morning hours, with a woman shot in the arm at 609 Brant Trail in the Brignall Community at 3:46 a.m. Evidence suggests suspects exited their vehicle at this scene. A subsequent shooting occurred at 298 Marr Street at 4:07 a.m.
The shootings come amid Brookhaven’s search for a new police chief, transitioning from an elected to an appointed position. City officials acknowledge the urgency in selecting a qualified leader to address the rising crime rates.
The city, known as the “Homeseekers Paradise,” is also the focus of a YouTube video highlighting gang issues involving groups such as the Purple Babies, the Vultures, and CTB. The video circulated widely on social media and via text in the days leading up to the incidents.
