Eight-year-old Zacchesus was shot and killed along with his mother, 46-year-old Zina Williams, at their Wash Drive mobile home near Forest in Scott County, Mississippi. The suspect, 31-year-old Salento James Fulgham — Williams' live-in boyfriend — allegedly shot Williams once and the child at least three times, then set a fire at the residence to cover up the shooting deaths. Firefighters discovered the bodies after 9 PM on a Monday evening. Fulgham and Williams had reportedly argued at their workplace (Tyson in Forest), and neighbors heard an altercation and gunshots before seeing Fulgham leave alone. Fulgham was later arrested without incident in Lauderdale County, where Williams' silver Honda Accord was also recovered.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Both articles describe the deaths as shooting deaths. The WLBT article states: "Scott County authorities said a fire was used to cover up the shooting deaths" and quotes the sheriff: "It looks like she was shot once. The child was shot at least three times, maybe more."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Both articles state that the child was shot multiple times. The WLBT article quotes Sheriff Mike Lee: "The child was shot at least three times, maybe more."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Both articles identify the suspect as the mother's boyfriend. The WLBT article's headline reads "Boyfriend arrested, accused of murdering girlfriend and her son," and the text states: "Thirty-one-year-old Salento James Fulgham was named as the prime suspect in the shooting deaths of 46-year-old Zina Williams and her eight-year-old son Zacchesus." The article further notes: "Fulgham lived with Williams."
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Both articles confirm that Fulgham was arrested. The WLBT article states: "Lauderdale County authorities arrested the man accused of killing a mother and her eight-year-old son in Scott County" and "Fulgham was taken into custody without incident."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The articles reference an argument and altercation between Fulgham and Williams leading up to the murders. The WLBT article states: "the two worked together at Tyson in Forest and reportedly argued while at the plant" and neighbors reported that "They did hear a small altercation and also heard what they believe were gunshots." This describes an escalation from a domestic argument to a double homicide, implying domestic violence.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The articles describe a notable detail: the suspect deliberately set a fire at the residence to cover up the shooting deaths. The WLBT article states: "Scott County authorities said a fire was used to cover up the shooting deaths." This arson to conceal evidence is a substantive detail relevant to the case. Additionally, this was a double homicide where both the mother and her eight-year-old son were killed.
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