The last of the suspects in a drive-by shooting that killed a 6-year-old boy at a McComb park four years ago pleaded guilty to murder and assault charges on Thursday.
Malik Reed faces sentencing before Judge David Strong on Feb. 23 after he pleaded to second-degree murder in the killing of Oterious Marks and four counts of aggravated assault for wounding others inside the park, including Marks’ brother.
The Feb. 20, 2022, shooting at McComb’s Central Park, which has since been renamed after Marks, shocked the community for the brazen broad daylight attack in a public space.
Reed and three other co-defendants who have already admitted to their roles in the shooting were targeting three other men inside the park when Marks and the other victims got caught in the crossfire.
Reed’s plea came after 21/2 days after his trial started in Lincoln County.
He pleaded guilty to reduced charges, according to court records, which show he was initially charged with first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder.
He was being held without bond. A judge revoked his $200,00 bond last year after deputies allegedly found more than an ounce of marijuana in his car at a checkpoint.
“This was an example of senseless gun violence where a 6-year-old lost his life,” District Attorney Brendon Adams said in a news release. “This case has been going on for years and it is time for closure for this family.”
The other defendants in the case await sentencing, according to court records.
Yjari Jackson of Magnolia, who authorities said was driving the car during the shooting, was the first defendant to plead guilty last year. He was charged with accessory after the fact of murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, and four counts of aggravated assault. His sentencing date has not been set.
Bryan Cameron pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, four counts of attempted murder and two conspiracy charges. Prosecutors recommended a 30-year prison sentence for him. Cameron is already behind bars on a 30-year sentence for a separate shooting at Southwest Mississippi Community College that occurred months before Marks’ death.
Bryceon D. Thompson pleaded guilty last year in Pike County Circuit Court to accessory to murder after the fact. He also pleaded guilty to felony flight from law enforcement in connection with an unrelated 2024 car chase. Prosecutors offered him a plea deal of a 20-year prison sentence with 15 years suspended.
Another suspect, Devanta Harrell, who was not in the car at the time of the shooting, is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and four counts of accessory after the fact to attempted murder.
