MERIDIAN, Miss. — A 21 year old man has died following an early morning shooting that authorities say marked the city’s second homicide of the year. The victim has been identified as Jaqwavion Carlisle, a resident of Meridian. According to the Meridian Police Department, officers responded around 1:30 a.m. Sunday to reports of a disturbance and physical altercation in the parking lot of the Council of Organizations, Inc., located at 814 45th Avenue.

As officers arrived at the scene, a gunshot was suddenly fired during the incident, striking Carlisle. Emergency responders quickly rendered aid before transporting him to a local hospital for medical treatment. Despite life saving efforts, Carlisle later succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the area immediately after the shooting. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male wearing a gray hoodie who was last seen running northbound along 44th Avenue.

The Shooting: A Late Night Altercation Turns Deadly

The shooting occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning at the Council of Organizations, Inc., located at 814 45th Avenue in Meridian, Mississippi. Meridian is a city in Lauderdale County, located in the east central part of the state, approximately 90 miles east of Jackson and 40 miles west of the Alabama border. It is a community of approximately 35,000 residents, known for its railroad history, its healthcare industry, and its cultural landmarks. The Council of Organizations, Inc. is a community building or event space, likely used for meetings, gatherings, and social events. On a Saturday night into Sunday morning, the parking lot would have been a gathering place for people attending an event.

According to the Meridian Police Department, officers were called to the location after reports of a disturbance and physical altercation. The callers may have heard yelling, seen a fight, or witnessed the events leading up to the shooting. Dispatchers sent officers to the scene. As officers arrived, the situation escalated. A gunshot was suddenly fired during the incident. The bullet struck Jaqwavion Carlisle.

The exact circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation. It is unclear whether the shooter was involved in the altercation, whether the shooting was targeted, or whether Carlisle was an innocent bystander. What is known is that Carlisle was hit and critically injured.

Emergency responders arrived quickly. Paramedics provided advanced life support at the scene. They worked to control bleeding, maintain his airway, and stabilize him. He was then transported to a local hospital, likely Rush Foundation Hospital or Anderson Regional Medical Center. Doctors and nurses fought to save his life. They performed emergency surgeries, administered blood transfusions, and used ventilators. Despite all efforts, Carlisle later succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Victim: Jaqwavion Carlisle, 21

Jaqwavion Carlisle was 21 years old. He was a resident of Meridian, Mississippi. At 21, he was a young man on the cusp of adulthood. He was someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s friend. He may have been a father, a partner, a coworker. His death is a tragedy for his family and for the Meridian community.

The original article does not provide biographical details about Jaqwavion his occupation, his hobbies, his personality. That information will emerge in the coming days as family members speak to the media and as obituaries are published. What is known is that he was 21, that he was from Meridian, and that he is gone. He was in the parking lot of the Council of Organizations early Sunday morning when a shooting occurred. He was shot and later died at the hospital.

Family members, friends, and members of the Meridian community have expressed grief following Carlisle’s death as loved ones remember the 21 year old victim. Social media tributes have begun to appear, using the hashtag #QwaCarlisle. Friends describe him as a loving, energetic young man with a bright future.

The Suspect: Flees the Scene, Description Released

Investigators said the suspect fled the area immediately after the shooting. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male wearing a gray hoodie who was last seen running northbound along 44th Avenue. The suspect’s identity has not been released. No arrests have been announced.

The suspect may have been involved in the disturbance or altercation that preceded the shooting. Witnesses are being interviewed. Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the Council of Organizations and nearby businesses. The suspect may be known to the victim or may have been a stranger.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Meridian Police Department. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Investigation: Active and Ongoing

The Meridian Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including what may have sparked the altercation in the parking lot. The case marks the city’s second homicide of the year. Detectives are working to determine the motive, identify the suspect, and gather evidence.

Key questions include:

• What led to the disturbance and physical altercation? Was it a dispute between individuals, a fight over a personal issue, or something else?

• Who fired the gun? Was it one of the individuals involved in the altercation, or someone else?

• Was the shooting intentional or accidental? Did the suspect intend to kill Jaqwavion Carlisle?

• Were there any other witnesses who saw the suspect or the shooting?

The investigation will include interviews with witnesses, analysis of physical evidence, and review of surveillance footage. The weapon has not been recovered.

The Community: Meridian in Mourning

The Meridian community is in shock. A 21 year old man was shot and killed in a parking lot early Sunday morning. The city’s second homicide of the year has residents concerned about safety. The Council of Organizations, Inc. is a community space that should be a safe place for gatherings. The violence has shaken the neighborhood.

Jaqwavion’s family is devastated. They have lost a son, a brother, a friend. They are planning a funeral instead of celebrating a milestone. The pain is immeasurable. They are also seeking justice. They want the shooter to be found and held accountable.

Friends have gathered at the scene to leave flowers and candles. A small memorial has been established. Community leaders have called for peace and an end to gun violence.

The Second Homicide of the Year

The shooting marks Meridian’s second homicide of 2026. While two homicides in five months is not a high number compared to larger cities, each death represents a life lost and a family shattered. The Meridian Police Department is under pressure to solve this case quickly.

The Role of the Council of Organizations

The Council of Organizations, Inc. is a community based organization that likely hosts events, meetings, and social gatherings. The parking lot where the shooting occurred may have been used for a late night event. The organization may need to review its security measures. The city may also consider increasing police patrols in the area.

Holding Onto Memories

As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the family and friends of Jaqwavion Carlisle are left to do the hardest work of all. They must hold onto their memories of him while also confronting the reality of his death. They must grieve his loss while also waiting for justice. They must find a way to go on without him.

Jaqwavion was 21. He had his whole life ahead of him. He had dreams that will never be fulfilled, love that will never be given, moments that will never be experienced. That is the unspeakable tragedy of a young death. It is not just the loss of what was. It is the loss of what could have been.

But what was still matters. The 21 years that Jaqwavion lived, the people he loved, the joy he brought, the memories he created these things are not erased by his death. They remain. They are the inheritance of his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. And as long as those memories are held and shared and cherished, Jaqwavion Carlisle will never truly be gone.

Conclusion: A Life Lost, A Suspect Sought

The death of Jaqwavion Carlisle, 21, of Meridian, in a shooting at the Council of Organizations parking lot on 45th Avenue, is a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large. Witnesses described a Black male in a gray hoodie running north on 44th Avenue. The investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been announced. As Meridian mourns, the community stands together in grief, offering prayers and support to Jaqwavion’s family. Rest in peace, Jaqwavion Carlisle. You were loved. You will be missed. And your memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Gone too soon, forever remembered.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Meridian Police Department.