Markevious Sturdivant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a Warren County courtroom Tuesday. 

Sturdivant’s plea was in relation to an incident in April of 2023, in which he was implicated in the death of 22-year-old Shemar Jashad Smith. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 15 years to be served and credit for the time he has already been incarcerated.

Sturdivant, represented by attorney Dennis Sweet, was originally arrested and charged with first-degree murder, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

Police said the shooting occurred in the 100 block of Kings Drive in north Vicksburg. Witnesses reported seeing Smith fleeing from a man dressed in all black. When police officers arrived on the scene, they found Smith in the 200 block of Walters Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by Warren County coroner Doug Huskey.

Surveillance video showed a man matching Sturdivant’s description shooting Smith. Later, a garbage bag containing ammunition and the jeans allegedly worn during the crime were located at Sturdivant’s mother’s home.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Sturdivant said he was deeply sorry for the loss of life and asked the court for mercy. He apologized to Smith’s grandmother, who was present. Smith’s grandmother also spoke at the hearing, stating that she didn’t hate the defendant, just what he did, and that she prayed he would understand that his actions weren’t right.

No motive for the shooting has been revealed.