On the evening of April 28, 2025, gunfire erupted in the Holly Circle area of Gulfport, Mississippi, near Cherry Court, leaving 16-year-old Cobi Earnest dead. Cobi, an African American male, was privately transported to a local hospital and later died of his injuries. Three other people at the scene were also struck by gunfire.

Investigators say the shooting grew out of a planned confrontation. Two men, 23-year-old Paul Ravin Martin Jr. and 53-year-old Kevin Eugene James, reportedly traveled to Holly Circle intending to confront several individuals, then brandished firearms and began shooting indiscriminately. Authorities believe the dispute may have originated outside Gulfport and are exploring possible links to neighborhood-based criminal groups.

Paul Ravin Martin Jr. was located and arrested shortly after the shooting and is being held without bond on charges including first-degree murder, shooting into a dwelling, and three counts of aggravated assault. A warrant has been issued for Kevin Eugene James on the same charges; he is described as armed and dangerous. Anyone with information that could help locate James or shed light on what happened is urged to come forward.