Do you wonder why there is a Stop the Violence rally in Quitman every year? It’s to honor the memory of Bruce Dear.
On the early morning hours of September 11, 2016, Quitman faced a tragedy with the murder of Bruce O’Bryant Dear.
At 12:23 one Sunday morning, a call came to 911 from a residence on Hwy. 511. Officers arrived to the scene to find a vehicle on fire across from the apartment complex.
Authorities began asking witnesses questions and tried to find out as much information about what took place. The witnesses were able to help set the scene for what occurred before 911 was called.
Mr. Dear was outside his vehicle when the suspects drove up. Once the suspects started firing shots, he got into his vehicle and tried to leave the area. Due to the high rate of acceleration, the vehicle drove into a clay embankment across from the complex and was ignited into flames.
Authorities attempted to rescue Dear, but they were unable to do so. At the time, officers were unaware that Dear had been struck by gunfire and succumbed to his injuries. Dear’s cause of death was a gun shot wound.
There were multiple suspects in the case thanks to witness accounts. They also learned that there was a driver and a shooter who fled the scene in a dark blue or black Pontiac GT.
Within a week of Dear’s death, authorities made an arrest. Kaeshawn Turner, 25 at the time, from Wayne County, was charged with first degree murder in the case. He was sent before Quitman Municipal Judge Potuk and given a bond of $50,000.
By October, the murder charges against Kaeshawn Turner were upgraded. Not only was he charged with first degree murder, but he was also charged with armed robbery with a bond of $75,000 and aggravated assault with a bond of $50,000. His first degree murder bond was also increased to $125,000 by Judge Potuk.
Although an arrest had been made at the time, the case has never gone to court. Since it has never reached court, the murder of Bruce O’Bryant Dear is still open and unsolved.
Turner is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges out of Wayne County.
We have reached out to Quitman Police Department for an update, and they are currently working on this case along with other unsolved cases.
Dear’s family still grieves the loss of their loved one and would love for his case to be solved. Until then, they have turned their grief into positive things by establishing a scholarship fund in memory of Dear and hosting a Stop the Violence rally each year to bring awareness to the community.
The 11th Annual Stop the will take place this Saturday at Sumrall Park in Quitman on September 5 from 10:30 a.m. until. Everyone needs to be lined up at 10:00 a.m. The walk will start at 10:30 a.m. You do not have to walk due to the hot weather; you can ride in your vehicle. At 10:00 a.m., we will meet at the Clarke County Courthouse and will walk to Sumrall Park in Quitman, MS. Following our return to Sumrall Park, we will begin our program, which will allow family members (mothers, fathers, siblings, etc.) of victims lost to violence to tell their stories. Guest speakers will also include law enforcement, county/city officials, and church administrators. There will also be free food, drinks, and activities for the children. Join us in our efforts to STOP THE VIOLENCE!
Your attendance will be greatly appreciated.
