Nykel Poole Obituary, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI — A 19-year-old Gulfport woman, identified as Nykel Poole, was fatally shot Monday night in a violent incident that also left two other people critically injured, according to the Gulfport Police Department. Authorities have confirmed that a suspect has since been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.
Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 8:45 p.m. near the intersection of 20th Street and 32nd Avenue in Gulfport. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Poole suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite emergency response efforts, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer pronounced Nykel Poole dead at the scene at approximately 8:55 p.m. Authorities confirmed that she sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound.
Two additional victims were also located at the scene with gunshot injuries. One victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment, while the second victim was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital. Both individuals remain in critical condition, police said.
Following initial investigations, detectives determined that the shooting allegedly stemmed from an ongoing dispute involving narcotics between the suspect and one of the victims. Authorities have not released further details regarding the relationship between those involved or the full circumstances leading up to the incident.
Police later located and arrested 34-year-old John Gaddis III of Gulfport shortly after the shooting. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. Officials confirmed he is being held on a $2 million bond and faces one count of first-degree murder in the death of Nykel Poole, along with two counts of aggravated assault.
The Gulfport Police Department continues to investigate the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward as detectives work to establish the full sequence of events. Additional updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
May she rest in peace.
