A Gulfport man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and shooting into a dwelling. On Feb. 12, 2024, officers with the Gulfport Police Department responded to a shooting around 2:30 a.m. at a home on Kenwood Drive. Upon arrival, they found a residence that had been struck multiple times by gunfire and discovered the body of 16-year-old Zaelyn Braxton. “Eckford also stated that when Braxton retrieved the gun, Eckford heard a gunshot and began firing shots at Braxton as Eckford ran away.” Circuit Court Judge Christopher L. Schmidt sentenced Eckford, now 21, to 25 years for second-degree murder and 10 years for shooting into a dwelling.