Billy Ralph Mitchell, 65, was shot and killed in Meridian, Mississippi, on October 2, 2023. He was found at the intersection of 17th Street and 26th Avenue after Meridian Police responded to reports of a shooting.

Mitchell worked as a concrete finisher and light laborer when he was able. He is survived by four children — Johnny Jones of Hattiesburg, Mitchell Neal of Meridian, LaPorche Jones of Gulfport, and Kalencia Mitchell of Meridian — a brother, Michael Mitchell of Macon, GA, two sisters, Brenda Davis of Jackson and Sandra Mitchell of Meridian, and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held October 14, 2023, at New Life Independent Church, and he was buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Police say an individual was taken into custody in connection with Mitchell’s death, but authorities have not publicly released the suspect’s identity. The investigation into the circumstances and motive remains ongoing.

If anyone has information about what happened at 17th Street and 26th Avenue on October 2, please come forward to investigators.