Lemetrius DeShawn Hollins, 28, was shot and killed in Madison, Mississippi. His body was discovered inside a residence on Haley Creek after authorities followed up on a tip from another jurisdiction. Investigators say the tip led them to Dawton Gage Whatley, 19, who was in custody in Washington County on unrelated charges; Whatley told authorities he had shot Hollins.

Madison County investigators transported Whatley back for questioning. Hollins had acted as a mentor and guardian to Whatley during his teenage years, and Whatley had been living with Hollins at the time of the shooting. Whatley admitted he shot Hollins once on February 3; Hollins’ body was discovered on February 5. The precise motive has not been disclosed.

If anyone knew Hollins, his relationship with Whatley, or was in the Haley Creek area in early February, please share what might help clarify what happened.