Darrell Stewart Will Serve 30 Years For Murder

A Jackson man received a prison sentence for the October 14, 2026, fatal shooting of an unarmed victim.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Violence

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Darrell Stewart, 56, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2026 murder of Christopher Goolsby in Jackson, Mississippi. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Darrell Stewart, 56, pled guilty to second-degree murder following a fatal shooting at a store on West Capitol Street in Jackson. Stewart was sentenced to 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the death of Christopher Goolsby.

Why it matters

The conviction brings a close to the case involving the shooting of Goolsby, who was unarmed when he was killed after attempting to flee the store. Surveillance footage served as key evidence in securing the plea and subsequent sentencing.

Darrell Stewart received a 30-year prison sentence following his guilty plea for second-degree murder. This outcome concludes the legal proceedings for the October 14, 2026, shooting investigated by local authorities.

The players

Darrell Stewart

He is a 56-year-old man who pled guilty to the second-degree murder of Christopher Goolsby.

Christopher Goolsby

He was the unarmed victim of the fatal shooting on West Capitol Street.

Mississippi Department of Corrections

This state agency is responsible for the custody and incarceration of convicted offenders.

Hinds County

This is the regional jurisdiction where the district attorney oversees the prosecution of criminal cases.

The details

Surveillance video showed Stewart drawing a firearm and pointing it at Goolsby, who tried to escape the store after returning to the doorway due to concerns about the behavior of men inside. An eight-month-old child was also present at the scene during the incident.

Timeline

  1. The shooting took place at a store on October 14, 2026.

Legal Context

This sentencing follows the established sentencing standards for second-degree murder in Mississippi, which mandate lengthy terms of incarceration for violent offenses. It reflects a standard application of the state's criminal justice process for major felonies.

The resolution of this case provides clarity to residents regarding the safety of local businesses on West Capitol Street. Public officials maintain that surveillance measures are critical for investigators to secure convictions in violent crimes.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of public surveillance in capturing evidence for violent crimes. Residents should remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behavior to local law enforcement to prevent escalations.

Further reading

For more information on regional safety and criminal proceedings, visit the Violence section.