Jackson Jambalaya

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Approximately 2:26 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2025, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Bridgewater Apartments located at 500 Avalon Way, Brandon, MS 39047 in reference to a shooting.

Upon arrival, deputies located a juvenile male who had been the victim of a physical assault and to whom the shooting had been directed.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office arrived and began processing the scene which included collecting the shell casings that had been fired from the suspect vehicle as it fled the area.

After gaining access to surveillance video in the area, investigators discovered that the juvenile victim had been physically assaulted by two assailants before the shooting.  As the two suspects re-entered a silver four-door passenger car and left the apartment complex, a passenger fired multiple shots at the juvenile victim.

Based upon evidence obtained through on scene investigation and through witness testimony, investigators developed 16-year-old Xavior Balderas as the suspect. 

Approximately 8:31 pm, deputies and investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home.  During that search a face mask worn by Balderas during the incident was recovered in addition the clothes he was wearing when the shooting took place.

On Monday, October 20, 2025, Xavior Balderas was made his initial appearance in court where he was formally charged as an adult for Drive-By Shooting and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

This is an ongoing investigation and further arrests are possible.

Kingfish note: Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow set the defendant's bond at $275,000.