On April 4, 2021, 17-year-old James Clifton Hester Files was found dead inside a vehicle at the intersection of Hilliard and Sherman streets in Starkville, Mississippi, the victim of a fatal shooting. Officers responded to reports of gunshots around 5:17 p.m. and determined the shooting took place inside the vehicle. Investigators say the people involved knew one another and that, after the shots were fired, the suspects ran on foot into a nearby wooded area.

Two 15-year-olds from Starkville were arrested in connection with the case. Tyrese Macon was charged with murder and taken to the Oktibbeha County Jail; a second 15-year-old, Coby Jones, was later arrested on a murder charge. Bonds for both were set at $750,000. Police said they had no reason to believe this shooting was connected to another recent incident in the area.

Anyone who knew James, was in the neighborhood that evening, or has information about what happened is asked to come forward.