The Baltimore comedian Reginald “Reggie” Carroll has died after being shot in northern Mississippi, according to authorities and media reports.
The entertainer was 52, and among those who have paid tribute to him was the Oscar-winning actor Mo’Nique, who called Carroll a “brother” in comedy.
Police in Southaven, Mississippi, said officers found a critically wounded Carroll while responding to a shooting on 20 August. Though he underwent emergency treatment at a hospital in nearby Memphis, Tennessee, Carroll died from his injuries.
Southaven police said one man was arrested in connection with Carroll’s killing and had been charged with murder. Investigators had not discussed a possible motive in the standup comic’s slaying as of Monday morning, though they had made it a point to say it was “isolated”.
Carroll gained a following while performing in comedy clubs across the US, and word of his death had left that circuit in mourning.
“Thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on,” Baltimore’s Mobtown Comedy said on social media. “The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our city’s great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggie’s family.”
On Instagram, the Baltimore area native Mo’Nique – who won the 2010 best supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Precious – said she had “an amazing time being on tour together” previously with Carroll.
“This is why I always say treat people the best you can because you never know if you’ll get a chance to see them again,” Mo’Nique said. “And the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together – that’s what it was, an amazing time being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing.”
Among Carroll’s credits at the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an episode of The Parkers, a sitcom which starred Mo’Nique. As Deadline noted, he also appeared on the live variety series Showtime at the Apollo – and more recently he was in the 2023 standup special Knockout Kings of Comedy as well as in the 2022 television movie Rent & Go.
Southaven police additionally offered condolences to Carroll’s loved ones, saying in a statement: “our thoughts [are] with [his] family”.
The agency’s statement also thanked the public “for their patience and understanding” as the investigation into Carroll’s murder continued.
