A quiet Saturday afternoon in McComb turned into tragedy on April 25, 2026, when 18-year-old Laraya Hood was fatally shot at an apartment on Pine Street.
According to authorities, emergency responders were called to the scene just after 3:30 p.m. following reports of a shooting inside the residence. When officers arrived, they found Hood suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. In those critical early moments, first responders worked urgently to provide aid, but despite their efforts, she was pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.
Investigators later confirmed that 18-year-old Zytavious Barnes was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting. Authorities also stated that Barnes and Hood reportedly had a prior relationship, which remains part of the ongoing investigation as detectives work to understand what led to the deadly encounter.
In the moments surrounding the incident, what began as an ordinary afternoon inside a home quickly turned into a scene of chaos and irreversible loss. Police secured the area as investigators began carefully collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses in an effort to reconstruct the timeline of events.
As the investigation continues, officials say they are still working to determine the full circumstances that led to the shooting and have not released additional details at this time.
The tragedy has left the McComb community in shock and deep sorrow, as friends, family, and classmates struggle to process the sudden loss of a young life. What remains are painful questions, a grieving family, and the lasting impact of a moment that changed everything in an instant.
