Monticello man charged with murder in sister’s shooting death

Published 8:46 am Monday, March 11, 2024

A 35-year-old Monticello man was arrested Sunday and charged with murder in the shooting death of a 21-year-old Silver Creek woman.

Taebyus Amaud Smith was arrested by Petal Police and booked into the Forrest County Jail at 8:20 a.m. Sunday. He was charged with murder in the death of Ed’Lauryn “LaLa” Kimbreun Baylis, according to Police Chief Matthew Hiatt.

Family members identified Baylis as Smith’s sister.

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Hiatt said a shooting occurred early Sunday at 230 W. Fourth Ave. in Petal, resulting in the death of Baylis — the first murder in years for the city near Hattiesburg.

Hiatt expressed thanks to the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office and the Hattiesburg Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigator for their assistance in the case.