3 people, including teen, arrested after botched robbery shooting leaves 15-year-old dead

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX/Gray News) — Three people, including a teenager, are in custody after a shooting early Saturday left a 15-year-old dead, authorities said.

Officials said Elijah Markell Parham, 18, Elliona Yari-Cheri Goffney, 18, and a 17-year-old are each charged in connection with the shooting death of Jonte Payton, 15.

Investigators said around 2 a.m. Saturday, a botched robbery led to a fight that ended with Jonte being shot in front of a home on Commerce Street in Gulfport, Mississippi. Officers were able to identify a suspect vehicle after pulling footage from nearby surveillance cameras.

Officers later found the vehicle with the 17-year-old and Goffney at Cypress Lanes Apartments, where they were arrested. Parham later turned himself in at the Gulfport Police Department.

Parham and the 17-year-old are charged with capital murder and armed robbery. Goffney is charged with accessory after the fact.

All three were taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center to be held pending bond after processing and interviews.