The quiet of a Monday night in Copiah County was shattered when deputies arrived at Copiah County Medical Center around 11:10 p.m., responding to reports of a man brought in with a gunshot wound. By the time they stepped through the doors, 20-year-old Decedric Stampley had already lost his life.
Officials confirmed that Stampley succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving. With no arrests yet announced and motive still a mystery, the sheriff’s office has classified the incident as a homicide and opened a full investigation.
In statements issued today, the Copiah County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information to come forward — either by calling 601-894-3011 or submitting an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477). They emphasized that even the smallest clue might help bring clarity to what unfolded that night.
Local media coverage — including The Daily Leader and Darkhorse Press — confirms the basic facts: Stampley was shot, brought to the medical center, and pronounced dead after deputies arrived. But beyond that, details remain sparse.
To friends and family, the loss is incomprehensible. A life just twenty years in the making has ended abruptly, leaving grief, unanswered questions, and a community asking: why him? Loved ones have expressed shock and sorrow, struggling to make sense of violence striking someone so young and full of potential.
Investigators say they are following leads, gathering evidence, and hoping for new tips. No suspect has been named so far, and motive has not been disclosed. Authorities have stressed the importance of community cooperation, believing someone out there — however distant — might hold a piece of the puzzle.
While the search for answers continues, Decedric’s death has left a haunting void. A young man’s life cut short under circumstances yet unclear — now it’s a community’s hope that justice will not stop at a name in a report, but reach those who have the power to solve it.