Purvis, Miss. – June 2, 2026 – A deep and sorrowful wave of grief has settled over the small Pine Belt communities of Purvis and Sandy Hook following a tragic shooting that claimed the life of Anna Crochet, 23, of Sandy Hook, and led to the swift arrest of Kobe Keshad Winsely, 25, of Lumberton. The incident, which unfolded Monday afternoon in broad daylight near a medical clinic in downtown Purvis, has left families shattered, residents struggling to process the violence, and law enforcement piecing together the final moments of a young woman’s life.
The details of the shooting have been confirmed by Purvis Police Assistant Chief Jay Green, who has been leading the department’s response. Lamar County Coroner Blake Matherne has also been actively involved, working to notify next of kin and coordinate the official identification of the victim. The scene was partially witnessed by WDAM 7 reporter Raven Little, who was in the area on an unrelated assignment and captured the immediate aftermath, including the heavy police presence and the emotional toll on bystanders.
What began as an ordinary Monday afternoon in this quiet Lamar County town – known for its annual Crawfish Festival and its close-knit, rural character – quickly descended into chaos when multiple gunshots rang out near a busy medical practice. By the time the sun set, a 23-year-old woman was dead, a 25-year-old man was in custody, and a community was left asking how such violence could happen here.
The Shooting: Violence in Downtown Purvis
According to authorities, officers with the Purvis Police Department were dispatched shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, following reports of “multiple shots fired” near the Hattiesburg Clinic Family Clinic at 101 Weems Street – a single-story medical office located in the heart of downtown Purvis, just blocks from the Lamar County Courthouse.
The first officer arrived on the scene within three minutes. What he found was chaos: a woman lying on the ground near a parked vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; a man fleeing the area on foot; and a small child, later confirmed to have been taken from the scene by the suspect, who was nowhere to be found.
Anna Crochet, 23, had been struck multiple times in what Assistant Chief Jay Green later described as a “severe and deliberate” shooting. First responders from Purvis Fire and Rescue immediately began life-saving measures – applying chest seals, packing wounds, and establishing an airway – before she was rushed by ambulance to Forrest General Hospital in nearby Hattiesburg.
Medical teams at Forrest General worked urgently to save her life, but the injuries were too catastrophic. Despite their efforts, Anna Crochet was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 5:22 p.m.
Lamar County Coroner Blake Matherne arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter and confirmed the death. “This is a tragedy for our community,” Matherne said in a brief statement. “Anna was young. She had her whole life ahead of her. Our thoughts are with her family during this unimaginable time.”
The Arrest: Kobe Keshad Winsely
As emergency responders worked to save Anna Crochet’s life, law enforcement launched an immediate manhunt for the shooter. Witnesses at the scene provided a description of the suspect – a Black male in his mid-20s, wearing a dark-colored hoodie and jeans, last seen fleeing on foot toward Church Street.
Within an hour, officers located Kobe Keshad Winsely, 25, of Lumberton, approximately one mile from the shooting scene. He was taken into custody without incident. A handgun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered nearby.
Assistant Chief Jay Green confirmed that Winsely has been charged in connection with the shooting. Investigators have stated the case is believed to be domestic in nature and have described it as an “isolated incident,” though additional charges are expected as proceedings move forward in court.
“We believe this was not a random act of violence,” Green said during a press conference Monday evening. “The victim and the suspect were known to each other. This was a domestic situation that escalated tragically. There is no ongoing threat to the public.”
Winsely is currently being held at the Lamar County Jail pending an initial court appearance, which is expected to take place later this week. Formal charges had not been filed as of Tuesday morning, but sources close to the investigation indicate that Winsely will face charges including First-Degree Murder and Felony Child Endangerment, given that a child was present during the shooting.
The Child: Safe and Unharmed
One of the most alarming aspects of the incident was the presence of a small child who was at the scene during the shooting. Officials confirmed that the child – whose age and relationship to the victim and suspect have not been released – was taken from the scene by Winsely as he fled.
The child was located safe and unharmed approximately 45 minutes after the shooting, in the company of a family member who was not involved in the incident. Authorities have confirmed that the child is now in the custody of protective relatives and is receiving appropriate care.
“This could have been even more tragic,” Assistant Chief Green said. “A child witnessed violence that no child should ever see. But physically, the child is safe. We are grateful for that small measure of relief in the midst of this devastating situation.”
The Scene: Evidence of Violence
Crime scene investigators from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to assist Purvis police in processing the scene. The area around the Hattiesburg Clinic Family Clinic at 101 Weems Street was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape for several hours as officers documented evidence, photographed the scene, and interviewed witnesses.
One piece of evidence stood out to reporters and bystanders alike: a vehicle parked near the clinic with multiple bullet holes in the driver’s side door. The vehicle, later confirmed to belong to Anna Crochet, was photographed by WDAM 7 reporter Raven Little, who was on the scene shortly after the shooting.
“I was in the area for an unrelated story when I heard the dispatch come over the scanner,” Little told her station later that evening. “By the time I arrived, the scene was already active. There were officers everywhere. And that car – you could see the bullet holes from the street. It was clear something terrible had happened.”
The vehicle was later towed to a secure facility for further forensic analysis. Ballistics testing is expected to confirm whether the recovered handgun matches the shell casings found at the scene.
The Victim: Remembering Anna Crochet
While authorities continue their investigation, the focus for many has shifted toward remembering the life that was lost. Anna Crochet, 23, of Sandy Hook – a small unincorporated community in Marion County, approximately 20 miles south of Purvis – is being remembered by those who knew her as a young woman full of promise, kindness, and quiet strength.
Friends and family describe Anna as a gentle soul who loved animals, especially horses, and who dreamed of becoming a veterinary technician. She had recently completed a certification program at Pearl River Community College and was working part-time at a local animal clinic while saving money to continue her education.
“Anna was the kind of person who would stop on the side of the road to help a stray dog,” said her childhood best friend, Brittany Simmons. “She had the biggest heart. She saw the good in everyone, even when they didn’t deserve it. That might have been her greatest strength and her greatest weakness.”
Anna was also a devoted aunt to her young nephew, whom she often babysat on weekends. Family members say she was happiest when she was surrounded by children and animals – two things that asked nothing of her except her love.
“She gave so much to everyone else,” said her mother, who asked not to be named. “She never put herself first. And now she’s gone. I don’t know how we’re supposed to go on without her.”
At just 23 years old, Anna’s future was still unfolding. Her sudden passing has left a painful void in the lives of her parents, her siblings, her extended family, and her many friends. A GoFundMe page organized by a family friend has already raised more than $7,000 to cover funeral expenses.
The Investigation: Ongoing and Active
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Assistant Chief Jay Green confirmed that detectives are continuing to gather evidence, conduct witness interviews, and review digital records – including phone records and social media activity – to establish a complete timeline of the events leading up to the shooting.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” Green said. “We owe it to Anna and her family to understand exactly what happened and why. Additional charges are expected as the case moves forward.”
Investigators have not released specific details about the nature of the domestic relationship between Anna Crochet and Kobe Keshad Winsely. Court records show no prior protective orders or domestic violence complaints involving the two, though the investigation is ongoing.
Lamar County Coroner Blake Matherne has scheduled an autopsy for Tuesday morning at the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office in Pearl. Results are expected later this week.
Community Reaction: Grief and Shock
Across Sandy Hook and Purvis, the emotional impact of Anna’s death has been deeply felt. Purvis, a town of approximately 2,000 residents, is not accustomed to violent crime. The last homicide in the city occurred more than four years ago.
“This is not who we are,” said Purvis Mayor Roger Herrin. “We are a small town. We know our neighbors. We leave our doors unlocked. To have something like this happen – in broad daylight, near a doctor’s office, with a child present – it’s shocking. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s a wake-up call.”
A makeshift memorial has appeared near the scene of the shooting – flowers, candles, and handwritten notes tied to a lamppost outside the Hattiesburg Clinic. One note, written in a child’s handwriting, reads: “Anna, I will miss you. Thank you for being so nice to me.”
The Lamar County School District has made grief counselors available at Purvis High School and Purvis Middle School, as many students in the district knew Anna through community activities and her work at the animal clinic.
Witness Account: Raven Little of WDAM 7
WDAM 7 reporter Raven Little, who was on the scene shortly after the shooting, provided critical early coverage of the incident. Her reporting helped inform the public about the ongoing police activity and the search for the suspect.
“It was chaotic,” Little told her station. “Officers were running. People were crying. You could feel the tension in the air. And then you saw that car – the bullet holes – and you realized how close this came to being an even greater tragedy.”
Little’s reporting has been praised by local officials for its accuracy and sensitivity. “Raven handled a very difficult situation with professionalism and compassion,” Assistant Chief Green said. “She allowed us to do our jobs while keeping the public informed. We are grateful for her partnership.”
What Comes Next
As the investigation continues, officials have emphasized that details remain active and subject to updates. Yet amid the ongoing inquiries, the human toll remains at the center of this tragedy.
Kobe Keshad Winsely is expected to appear before a Lamar County judge later this week for an initial bond hearing. The district attorney’s office has indicated that it will seek a high bond given the severity of the charges and the domestic nature of the incident.
For the family and friends of Anna Crochet, the coming days will be spent making funeral arrangements, grieving together, and trying to make sense of a loss that feels senseless.
A Final Reflection
The death of Anna Crochet has left a wound on the communities of Purvis and Sandy Hook that will take a long time to heal. But even in grief, her memory endures – in the flowers at the scene, in the prayers of her neighbors, in the tears of her family, and in the determination of a community that refuses to let her be forgotten.
She was 23 years old. She loved animals. She dreamed of a future. And she was taken far too soon.
As authorities continue their investigation and the legal process moves forward, those who loved Anna are left with memories – and with the hope that justice will be served.
“She deserved so much more time,” said her best friend, Brittany Simmons. “But the time she had, she used it to love people. That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what we should all remember.”
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