Darreyun James Pendleton

Darreyun James Pendleton, known to his loved ones as "Pookie," was remembered as a mannerable, generous, and protective man, especially of his mother. At 27 years old, the father of three was a beloved figure in his community. His life, however, was tragically cut short in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 21, 2021, leaving a void in the lives of his family and friends.

The day began with violence and tragedy in Brookhaven, Mississippi. At approximately 5:38 a.m., Brookhaven Police Dispatch was flooded with 911 calls reporting a shooting at the Cloverdale Apartment Complex on Williams Street. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Darreyun, a Black male, suffering from two gunshot wounds. Emergency responders rushed him first to King’s Daughters Medical Center and then transferred him to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for more advanced care. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Darreyun James Pendleton succumbed to his injuries later that evening. Before he died, he was unable to tell police who had shot him.

The Brookhaven Police Department, led by Chief Kenneth Collins, immediately launched a homicide investigation. The lack of security cameras at the public housing complex complicated the initial stages of the inquiry, a point of frustration for the police chief who had been advocating for their installation. However, investigators worked diligently to piece together the events of that morning. Within days, their efforts identified a suspect in the fatal shooting.

On July 29, 2021, the Brookhaven Police Department issued a murder warrant for Armone Melike Sims, also known by the aliases "Money" or "Moolah." Police described him as armed and dangerous and released photos to the public, asking for any information regarding his whereabouts. Chief Collins made a public plea, stating that they had been in contact with Sims's mother and family, urging him to surrender peacefully. "We are not going to stop until we find him," Collins said. "Wherever he runs or hides, sooner or later we are going to find him. The world is not big enough."

The pressure from law enforcement and the community appeared to work. On the afternoon of Monday, August 2, 2021, just days after the warrant was issued, Armone Sims surrendered to officers at the Brookhaven Police Department. Chief Collins expressed his gratitude to law enforcement, community members, and Sims's own family for their assistance in bringing about a peaceful surrender.

Following his surrender, Armone Sims was arrested and, according to the Lincoln County Jail docket, was booked on a charge of first-degree murder based on an indictment. The case then moved into the judicial system. As of the latest available public information from August 2021, Sims had been charged and was in custody. Further details regarding his trial, verdict, or potential sentence have not been publicly reported. The case remains a painful memory for a family still waiting for a final resolution. Anyone with information was previously asked to call the Brookhaven Police Department at 601-833-2424.