In the close-knit community of Prentiss, Mississippi, the night of August 17, 2025, was shattered by a burst of gunfire that left a town in mourning and a family devastated. The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office is grappling with the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the Finish Line Drag Strip in the Lucas neighborhood, where 17-year-old Galvin Fortenberry lost his life and four others were wounded in a chaotic exchange that has left more questions than answers.
It was just past 11:15 p.m. on that fateful Sunday when the sound of gunfire pierced the air at the drag strip, a place typically alive with the roar of engines and the cheers of racing enthusiasts. Instead, the night turned grim as multiple shooters unleashed a hail of bullets, according to JDCSO Investigator Vernon Dampier. Galvin Fortenberry, a young man with dreams of serving his country, was pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut tragically short just days before he was set to embark on a new chapter. Fortenberry, a recent graduate of Camp Shelby in June 2025, had been slated to join the Air Force on August 20, the very day this article reflects on the tragedy. His future, brimming with promise, was stolen in an instant.
The four others caught in the crossfire were rushed to a local hospital, their injuries a stark reminder of the violence that erupted. Miraculously, all four have since been released, their physical wounds healing even as the emotional scars of that night linger. Authorities believe the suspects, described as a group of individuals aged between 17 and 19, fled the scene in a gray Camaro, a detail that has become a focal point in the ongoing investigation. The vehicle, now a key piece of evidence, is one of the few leads in a case that has shaken the small community of Jefferson Davis County.
Sheriff Ron Strickland, addressing the tragedy, described the incident as involving “multiple, multiple” people, hinting at the complexity of the altercation. The Finish Line Drag Strip, nestled in the heart of Prentiss, is no stranger to gatherings, but this deadly shootout has cast a shadow over a place meant for excitement and camaraderie. As investigators piece together the events, they are calling on the public for help, urging anyone with information, photos, or videos to come forward. The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office has provided a lifeline for tips at (601) 792-8856, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could be the key to justice for Galvin Fortenberry and closure for a grieving community.
The loss of Fortenberry, a young man on the cusp of adulthood, has sent ripples of sorrow through Prentiss. Described by those who knew him as a bright and ambitious soul, his death is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of violence. The Lucas neighborhood, typically a quiet corner of this rural county, now bears the weight of a tragedy that has left residents reeling. As loved ones gather to mourn, the community is left to reflect on how such a vibrant young life could be extinguished so suddenly.
The investigation continues, with authorities determined to uncover the truth behind the deadly shootout. In a county where Southern hospitality is a way of life, this act of violence feels like a betrayal of the values that bind its people together. For now, Jefferson Davis County holds its breath, hoping for answers, healing, and a future where nights at the Finish Line Drag Strip are once again filled with the thrill of the race, not the echo of gunfire.
