A tragic shooting early Saturday morning at a gas station on US-90 in Waveland, Mississippi, has left a 19-year-old man dead and a woman injured. The Waveland Police Department is actively investigating the incident, which has shocked the local community.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 1:33 a.m. Upon arrival, they found 19-year-old Ladaibrien Acker, a Waveland resident, in the parking lot with gunshot wounds to his chest. Emergency responders transported Acker to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A second victim, a woman who was shot in the arm, was also identified during the investigation. She received treatment at the hospital and has since been released. Authorities have not disclosed her identity or provided further details about her involvement in the incident.
Following their initial investigation, police arrested 22-year-old Robert George Sams Jr. in connection with the shooting. Sams faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. The Waveland Police Department has confirmed that the investigation remains active as they work to uncover the circumstances leading to the deadly encounter.
The motive behind the shooting has not yet been released, but law enforcement officials are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. They are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Waveland Police Department at 228-467-3669 or Hancock County Central Dispatch at 228-255-9191.
The tragic loss of Acker has left the Waveland community grieving. Authorities expressed their condolences to Acker’s family and reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice is served. As the investigation unfolds, the community hopes for answers and accountability in the wake of this senseless act of violence.