Baltimore comedian Reginald “Reggie” Carroll was fatally shot on August 20, 2025, in Southaven, Mississippi, while touring with fellow comedian Katt Williams. The 52-year-old performer, known as the “Knockout King of Comedy,” died from his injuries despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel.
Officers with the Southaven Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the Burton Lane area on Wednesday evening. They discovered Carroll suffering from gunshot wounds and transported him to Regional One Health hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was pronounced dead.
Police arrested 38-year-old Tranell Marquise Williams in connection with Carroll’s murder. Williams, who worked as a security guard on Katt Williams’ Heaven on Earth comedy tour, was booked on murder charges by the Southaven Police Department on Thursday. The suspect’s mugshot shows him wearing a yellow jumpsuit with visible chest tattoos and what appear to be teardrop tattoos near his eye.
The shooting occurred at a residence that also served as the headquarters for a clothing and merchandise company owned by Katt Williams. The property was listed as Williams’ last known address, according to law enforcement records. Following the incident, the Southaven Police Department posted a 14-day eviction notice on the building citing criminal activity.
Despite sharing the same surname, investigators confirmed that Tranell Williams and Katt Williams are not related. TMZ reported that Katt Williams was not present during the shooting incident.
Carroll, a Maryland native, had been actively performing on Katt Williams’ ongoing comedy tour at the time of his death. Social media posts from earlier in 2025 showed Carroll traveling with the tour across various cities. The comedian had built a reputation performing at comedy clubs nationwide and was known for his appearances on the syndicated variety show “Showtime at the Apollo.”
The victim’s brother, Kempe Earle, expressed his shock over the killing. Earle indicated that Carroll was in Southaven because he was working with Katt Williams on the tour. Family friend Gerald Kelly described feeling frustrated and seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding Carroll’s death.
Carroll’s entertainment career included multiple television appearances and comedy specials. His credits included a 2000 episode of “Showtime at the Apollo,” an appearance on UPN’s “The Parkers” alongside Mo’Nique, and roles in the 2023 standup special “Knockout Kings of Comedy” and the 2022 television movie “Rent & Go.”
Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique, who had toured with Carroll, paid tribute to the comedian on social media. She described having “an amazing time being on tour together” with Carroll and emphasized that all their shared experiences were positive. Mo’Nique referred to Carroll as her “brother in comedy” and noted she had no sad tears because of their wonderful times together.
Club Mobtown Comedy in Baltimore honored Carroll’s memory on Instagram, describing him as one of the original supporters of their comedy collective. The organization expressed sadness over losing one of Baltimore’s great comedy talents and extended prayers to Carroll’s family.
Authorities have characterized the shooting as an isolated incident, though the investigation remains active. Police have not released information regarding a motive for the killing. The case continues under the jurisdiction of the Southaven Police Department, with officials stating that limited details can be shared due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Carroll’s death has impacted both the Baltimore comedy community, where he was considered a foundational figure, and the broader entertainment industry. His touring work with established performers like Mo’Nique and Katt Williams had elevated his profile within the standup comedy circuit.
The incident has raised questions about security protocols during comedy tours, particularly given that the suspected shooter was employed as security personnel. Williams remains in custody as the legal proceedings move forward, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Carroll’s death.
