GULFPORT, Miss. — Three individuals, including an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old, are in custody following a fatal shooting early Saturday morning in Gulfport, Mississippi, that left a 15-year-old dead, authorities said. Elijah Markell Parham, 18, and a 17-year-old are facing charges of capital murder and armed robbery. Elliona Yari-Cheri Goffney, 18, has been charged with accessory after the fact in connection with the death of Jonte Payton, 15, officials confirmed. This incident, which investigators said stemmed from a botched robbery, occurred around 2 a.m. in front of a home on Commerce Street.
According to investigators, the early morning hours saw a confrontation in front of a Commerce Street residence in Gulfport. This altercation, characterized by authorities as a robbery attempt that went awry, escalated into a fight. It was during this struggle that Jonte Payton, 15, sustained the fatal gunshot wound. Law enforcement responded to the scene and began piecing together the events that led to the teenager's death, focusing on evidence collection and witness accounts.
A crucial step in identifying those involved came through the use of local surveillance technology. Officers were able to pull footage from nearby cameras, which helped them identify a vehicle suspected in connection with the shooting, officials stated. This key piece of evidence allowed officers to track down potential suspects and establish a timeline for the incident.
The subsequent arrests unfolded in stages. Officers located the identified suspect vehicle at Cypress Lanes Apartments. At this location, they apprehended the 17-year-old suspect and Elliona Yari-Cheri Goffney. Shortly thereafter, Elijah Markell Parham turned himself in to law enforcement officials at the Gulfport Police Department. All three individuals were taken into custody without further incident, according to authorities.
Following their arrests, Parham, Goffney, and the 17-year-old were transported to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. They are currently being held at the facility. Authorities confirmed that all three are awaiting bond proceedings after completing processing and interviews related to the shooting incident. The charges of capital murder and armed robbery against Parham and the 17-year-old, along with the accessory after the fact charge against Goffney, underscore the serious nature of the allegations surrounding the death of Jonte Payton.