VIDEO: Family still Devastated After Thursday’s Killing

August 25, 2017

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- A Starkville teenager is behind bars on a $2 million bond charged with murder.

Tomas Bradford is accused of shooting 20 year old Deontay Rogers last night at Brookville Garden Apartments.

At this time, investigators are unsure what led to the gun fire.

However, family members tell WCBI the victim and suspect were friends, which makes this killing even more devastating.

“I’m still in shock. I didn’t get to see him, I had just saw him two hours before it happened,” says Iyunnia Hollingshed as she comforts her father. She’s still having a hard time accepting she’ll never get to see her younger brother again, “we’re not sure when we will get over this.”

Hollingshed was getting ready to go on a trip to Miami right before receiving a call that has changed her life forever.

“When I got it I was just stuck, and I was like what are you saying, and then that’s when she told me your brother has been shot, and I just ran out the house and came to the hospital,” says Hollingshed.

The two shared a close bond, and described Rogers as a funny and caring person.

“His favorite word was ‘Sis’. He always called me sis. He called me saying he found a three bedroom trailer, so I’m like Deontay send me the picture. And, I’m just going to miss hearing that word Sis.”

Rogers was shot at Brookville Garden Apartments. 16 year old Tomas Bradfard is the teen accused of pulling the trigger.

“The suspect and victim are both local but I don’t believe anyone of them live in the area where the crime occurred,” says Starkville Chief of Police, Frank Nichols.

Right now, investigators are still piecing together what led to the shooting.

“We don’t know exactly how many times he was shot. We do know there was one gunshot wound to the upper torso,” says Nichols.

According to Nichols, just last year Bradford was indicted on murder and armed robbery charges and says more arrests are possible.