The Tunica County Sheriff's Department is seeking a man allegedly involved in the shooting of another man over the weekend and is asking the community's help in finding the suspect or getting him to turn himself in.
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 11:13 p.m., the Tunica County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call stating an individual had been shot at the
intersection of Caroll Street and Edwards Avenue in a north Tunica neighborhood.
Sheriff deputies and first responders were dispatched to the scene and found a black male suffering from gunshot wounds. The individual
was treated on scene by Pafford but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tunica County Coroner, Glen Grant.
The victim has been identified as Makenzie Kaleb Thomas, 18, of Tunica. Thomas was transported by the Panola County Coroner to the Mississippi Crime Lab for an autopsy.
During the initial investigation, Mario Donyale Lester, Jr., 17, of Tunica County, was developed as the suspect. The Tunica County Sheriff's Office has
obtained an active warrant for Lester for First Degree Murder and the Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm within Populated Area.
Lester is considered to be armed and dangerous.
If you make contact with Lester or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately, or the Tunica County Sheriff's Office at 662-363-1411 or Tunica County CrimeStoppers at 662-910-0400 for up to a $1,000 reward. Calls to CrimeStoppers are anonymous and cash is paid for tips that lead to an arrest.
This investigation is active and ongoing.
Any person who is found to have knowingly aided, abetted, or assisted in concealing or harboring Lester while at large, shall face criminal charges.
