Police: Drive-by shooting is suspected vigilante justice attempt
Published 11:00 am Friday, April 8, 2022
- Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins
A drive-by shooting Thursday night in Brookhaven was possibly an attempt at vigilante justice, according to Police Chief Kenneth Collins.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday, officers were called to King’s Daughters Medical Center after Travion James of Brookhaven arrived with gunshot wounds to his leg.
Officers were told James and the driver of the vehicle had traveled north on Hwy. 51 and were turning onto New Sight Drive when another vehicle pulled alongside them and someone fired shots into their car.
“We feel like it’s members of the family of a murder victim taking the law into their own hands,” Collins said. “We need them to help solve the homicide. We have a pretty good idea of who the killer is, but we need the family to come forward to help us to file charges on this individual.”
Collins said those with information need to step up and bring that to the police.
“It’s not snitching — it’s doing the right thing to keep our community safe,” he said. “You cannot take the law into your own hands, because then you’re no better than the person who broke the law in the first place.”
The chief said he is concerned if this type of behavior continues, someone innocent — like a child — will get caught and killed in the crossfire.
“I’m calling on both families. If y’all have got information to help us, come forward and we’ll do our best to bring these people to justice,” Collins said. “This foolishness needs to stop.”