Robert Earl Brown

A Memorial Day weekend gathering at a home in Jackson, Mississippi, turned into a scene of chaos and violence in the spring of 2020, ending the life of 37-year-old Robert Earl Brown. The shooting erupted late on the night of Saturday, May 23, or just after midnight on Sunday, May 24, at a residence in the 2300 block of Oakhurst Drive. Robert, a Black male, was remembered by friends and loved ones for his vibrant personality. An online memorial page noted his work at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The house party on Oakhurst Drive devolved into violence when an argument broke out between at least two individuals. The dispute quickly escalated, and gunfire erupted. In the ensuing mayhem, five people were shot. Robert Earl Brown was struck multiple times. He was rushed to Merit Health Central hospital in a private vehicle, but his injuries proved fatal. A coroner pronounced him dead at the hospital just after midnight. A preliminary analysis suggested he had been shot about six times.

Three other men at the party — Tranelius Brown, Azande Collier, and Jerrick Gowans — also sustained gunshot wounds. Their injuries were described by authorities as non-life-threatening, and they were expected to recover. The man police identified as the primary suspect, Kaswello Williams, was also shot several times during the incident. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition.

The Jackson Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into the deadly shooting. A police spokesperson told reporters that investigators believed Williams had shot four people before being shot himself during the altercation. As the investigation progressed and Williams began to recover from his injuries, the case moved forward.

Following his release from the hospital, Kaswello Williams, who was 26 years old at the time, was arrested by Jackson police. He was booked into jail and formally charged for his alleged role in the violence that night. Williams faced one count of criminal homicide for the death of Robert Earl Brown and three counts of aggravated assault in connection with the injuries sustained by the other three men.

The arrest and charges against Williams marked a significant development in the case, providing a measure of progress for a night that brought tragedy to a holiday weekend celebration. The incident on Oakhurst Drive served as a stark reminder of how quickly a gathering can turn violent, leaving a family to grieve and a community to mourn the loss of a life.

As of June 2020, Kaswello Williams had been charged and was in custody awaiting legal proceedings. The case for the killing of Robert Earl Brown was set to move through the Mississippi court system. No further public updates on the outcome of the trial or the disposition of the charges have been made widely available.