Shooter Found Dead In Woods

"PERKINSTON, MS — Investigators in George County say the victims in Wednesday's deadly shooting were the suspected gunman's former in-laws.

"Horace Dixon, 76, died at the scene near Parker Bridge Road. His wife, Cheria Dixon, is in critical condition at Singing River Hospital, where she underwent surgery Wednesday night for a gunshot wound.

"The suspect was identified Thursday as James Andrew Brown. The 30-year-old was found dead in the woods about 15 miles away from the shooting scene. Officials believe he took his own life.

"Investigators aren't releasing any further information about what may have led to the shooting, only calling it `a domestic issue.` The case is still currently under investigation."

From WBRC...

Investigation Continues After Bodies Found In Home

"SALTILLO, MS — A tumultuous relationship ended in gunfire Tuesday afternoon outside of Saltillo.

"According to Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson, deputies responded to a shots fired call at 156 County Road 521 around 1:30 p.m.

"`Upon arrival, deputies found an unlocked door and entered the residence,` said Johnson. `Inside, they discovered one male and one female with fatal gunshot wounds.`

"Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green identified the deceased as Danny Tutor, 58, and Shelia Tutor, 50, both of 156 County Road 521.

"`Several weapons were recovered from inside the home and this is being treated as a murder/suicide,` said Johnson.

"The details of the shootings are still under investigation.

"According to Chief Deputy John Hall, the initial call to 911 came from neighbors reporting what they thought were gunshots. A deputy arrived on the scene and was unable to get anyone to answer the door. When backup arrived, the officer again approached the house but got no response from inside.

"`We were in the process of trying to locate a family member with a key when it was discovered that one of the doors was unlocked,` said Hall. `It was then they discovered the two individuals. Both were deceased when we located them.`"

Source: djournal.com...

When Boyfriends Collide

"BILOXI, MS — When Biloxi police arrived at the Royal Gulf Apartments on 190 Gateway Dr, they found two bodies and three shotgun shells. The victim was identified as Francis Smith Jr., 36, of Gulfport. He had been shot twice.

"The suspect was also dead. Police say Keith Weaver, 38, also of Gulfport was distraught over his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.

"`It appears that the ex-boyfriend of the girlfriend came over and confronted her and her new boyfriend, shot her new boyfriend, then shot himself,` Sgt. Alan Bond, a Biloxi Police Detective, said.

"Bond says Weaver did not have any history of violence and that he just appeared to have snapped. As people at the Royal Gulf apartment complex learned, domestic disputes can happen anywhere, anytime and unfortunately, sometimes they have tragic endings.

"Autopsies were performed on both men Saturday afternoon. Smith had gunshot wounds to his upper chest and shoulder. His death was ruled a homicide. Weaver had one gunshot wound to his chest. His death was ruled a suicide."

From wlox.com...

County & Local Officials Collaborate On Case

"OXFORD, MS — At 9:43 a.m on Oct. 13, the Oxford Police Department responded to an ambulance assistance call on St. Andrews Circle. At approximately the same time, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s office was responding to a call on County Road 105 about a possible suicide.

"Once both separate scenes were determined safe and the surrounding area was secured, the Oxford Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office initiated a joint investigation. The investigation indicates that the incident was a murder/suicide of two associated individuals. The investigation has determined that the two individuals found at the separate scenes were killed by gunshot. The victims were identified as Sharon Pegues Orange and Michael Vernon Orange.

"Sharon Pegues Orange was the estranged wife of Michael Vernon Orange and at this time authorities have not determined if the couple was legally divorced."

Read more at hottytoddy.com...

Unidentified Couple Found Dead

"PRENTISS, MS — According to Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Ron Strickland, and man and a woman are dead in a murder/suicide on Friday.

"The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. at 6 Baggett Road.

"According to Strickland the man and woman were separated but still married.

"Authorities identified the male who allegedly shot his wife in the front yard, and went inside the residence and took his own life.

"The cause of the incident is not known at this time and remains under investigation."

From WDAM.com...

Victim Critical, Shooter Dead

"JACKSON, MS — Jackson Police are investigating an attempted murder/suicide in South Jackson.

"According to Public Information Officer Colendula Green, 37-year-old Anthony Brown allegedly shot 34-year-old Jamecca Jones in the chest before he turned the gun on himself.

"Brown died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. The victim is being treated at a hospital and at last check, she is listed in critical condition.

"The shooting happened at the Timber Falls subdivision on Will-O-Run around 11 p.m Monday. The investigation is ongoing."

From wjtv.com...

Cop, Wife Found Shot to Death In Home

"BRANDON, MS — The Rankin County Sheriff's office is investigating the death of a Hinds County Sheriff's Deputy and his wife.

"They were found dead in their home on 126 Caledonian Blvd. in Rankin County around 9 o'clock Wednesday night.

"Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey confirms that 34-year-old Chris Smith was found with his wife, 27-year-old Amber Smith, in a master bedroom.

"Authorities were responding to a 911 call of shots fired.

"The caller stated that the Smiths two young children came to their house told them their dad may have shot their mother.

"Sheriff Bryan Bailey said, `The deputies responded and secured the house, then learned from the oldest child, the parents had been arguing, they went in a bedroom shut the door and locked it, then they heard two gunshots.`

"When deputies entered the home they found a pistol they believe was used in the shooting.

"Sheriff Bailey says his office is awaiting crime lab results before making a ruling on the manner of deaths.

"The couple's two children were placed in the care of their grandmother.

"Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis says, `It's a sad day for the law enforcement community.` He asks for the public to pray for this family.

"Deputies also responded to a call at the home 10 days ago for a `non-violent domestic issue.`

"Chris Smith has been with Hinds SO since 2004. He was currently working with specialized drug task force.

"Sheriff Tyrone Lewis said, `It's not a good day for law enforcement. Law enforcement is a fraternal organization, that when something like this happens it touches us worldwide so were not pleased with it. Were asking everyone to respect the family, and pray for the family.`"

From wect.com...

Love Triangle Ends In Gunfire

"OCEAN SPRINGS, MS — A man and a woman are now dead following a domestic shooting today in Ocean Springs, according to a news release from the Ocean Springs Police Department.

"Captain William Jackson identified the deceased as Patrick Norman, 42, of Hoover, Ala., who committed suicide after shooting Amanda Salas, 36, and Christopher Dale Prevost, 30, both of Ocean Springs.

"Salas died from her injuries at 1:50 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Hospital.

"The incident occurred at 10:55 a.m. at a residence on 209 Hunter Drive in Ocean Springs.

"Jackson said Norman and Salas `had been in a dating relationship prior to this incident but were currently separated.`

"Salas was now dating Prevost.

"Salas was shot once on the left side of the head with a 9 mm handgun, and Prevost was shot in the left shoulder, an injury Jackson said is not life-threatening."

From gulflive.com...

Man Finds Bodies Of Wife, Daughter

"NEW HEBRON, MS — Simpson County authorities are working an attempted murder/suicide on Guy Sherman Road, near New Hebron.

"Authorities say 40-year-old Simina Boykin shot her daughter, 21-year-old Georgia Boykin, then turned the gun on herself. Simina is dead, but Georgia survived a gunshot wound to the head and was airlifted to UMMC.

"The husband, James Frank Boykin, found both bodies. He believes it is related to a child custody case involving Georgia's infant child.

"Boykin told investigators that the two women failed to appear in Simpson County Youth Court Monday afternoon in a case involving Georgia's infant. The child is in the hospital suffering from a broken arm in a separate incident.

"Boykin told authorities that the women feared that Georgia would lose custody of the baby, and he believed the shooting was a result. Both were shot in the head.

"`When he went in the house he found his wife laying on the floor shot and his daughter was laying beside her also shot but his daughter was alive,` said Sheriff Kenneth Lewis.

"The State Crime Lab is assisting with the investigation."

From WDAM.com...

Restaurant Slasher Hangs Himself In Jail

"MAGEE, MS — A man hanged himself in the Magee city jail after stabbing his girlfriend to death at a fast food restaurant, authorities said.

"Magee Police Chief Randy Crawford said 31-year-old Robert James Williams attacked his girlfriend, 21-year-old Jessica Cromwell, at the Wendy's restaurant where she worked.

"Simpson County Coroner Terry Tutor said video surveillance footage from the restaurant shows that Williams pushed by a manager into the restaurant kitchen shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday. He attacked Cromwell with a knife, stabbing her multiple times.

"`It was all on film,` Tutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

"Williams was taken to Magee General Hospital, where she died.

"Other Wendy's employees followed Williams and called police. Crawford said in a news release that police caught Williams less than a block from the restaurant on U.S. 49., using a stun gun to subdue him. Crawford said police recovered a knife when they arrested Williams, arresting him fewer than two minutes after employees called 911.

"Williams was taken to the Magee jail, where Crawford said police stripped his bloody clothing to hold as evidence, leaving him wearing only boxer shorts and ankle socks.

"After 8 p.m. Tuesday, Williams was found hanged, with his shorts and socks tied together as a noose.

"Both bodies have been taken to Jackson for autopsies."

From SFGate.com...

Couple Dead For Several Days Before Discovered

"HATTIESBURG, MS — The Lamar County Sheriff's department responded to a double shooting in the Oak Grove community Thursday evening.

"The incident happened on the corner of King Road and Pompano Drive. One body was found inside a house and another body inside a vehicle. Officials said clues at the scene indicated the incident took place several days before it was discovered.

"Authorities said the bodies were identified as a man, age 53, and a woman, age 46, who were in a long-term relationship.

"Lamar County deputies are reassuring the public there is no third party involved in this incident.

"Officials are currently investigating this as a possible murder/suicide."

From WDAM...

Another Ex-Boyfriend With A Gun

"HICKORY FLAT, MS — Police are investigating a murder/suicide on McKay Road in Hickory Flat after officers found the victim and suspect early Thursday morning.

"Keria Bennett just moved to the area with her father and was opening the door last night when investigators believe she was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend. Investigators say he then turned the gun on himself.

"The feelings of Keria Bennett's family are described by her 4-year-old stepbrother Cameron.

"`I miss you, and I want you to come back,` he said.

"Bennett's ex-boyfriend Samuel Gipson died right next to her after investigators believe he shot Bennett in the chest before shooting himself in the head. The young woman's family sat heartbroken questioning a relationship they say had signs of trouble.

"`She tried to leave him before, and he would hold her down, and he wouldn't let her leave,` said cousin Kristian Cook.

"Cook stays across the street and ran barefoot across the gravel hill to care for her loved one.

"`I just held her in my arms, and she just twitched one last time ... And that was it, that was it, she was gone,` said Cook."

Read more at wmctv.com...

Wife Shoots Paraplegic Husband, Self

"JACKSON, MS Jackson police are investigating what they believe to be a murder/suicide in south Jackson and have identified both victims.

"Few details are being released at this time, but Officer Colendula Green confirms one male and one female were discovered early Monday morning shot in a residence on 4360 Redwood Circle.

"Officer Green says the couple has been identified as Michael and Pamela Williams. It is believed that Pamela Williams shot her husband, Michael, before turning the gun on herself. Green adds that Michael Williams was a paraplegic.

"A motive for the shooting has not been released at this time."

From WLOX.com...

Murder Suspect Shoots Cop, Self At Police Department

"JACKSON, MS — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has ruled the shootings inside Jackson Police Department on Thursday a murder/suicide.

"Spokesman Warren Strain told media that the investigators believe suspect Jeremy Powell shot police Detective Eric Smith and then turned the gun on himself.

"Jackson police said Thursday evening that Powell overpowered Smith, took his service weapon and shot the detective, killing him. Jackson police said Powell was later shot, but they never confirmed by whom.

"Police have said that Powell was being questioned by Smith in relation to the stabbing murder of Christopher Alexander. They have not confirmed if Smith and Powell were in an interrogation room or in Smith’s office."

From ClarionLedger.com...

Coroner Finds 2 Homicides And 1 Suicide

"TUPELO, MS — An autopsy has revealed two people found dead in the Macedonia community in Lee County on Tuesday were homicide victims, and the third committed suicide.

"Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green said the autopsy showed Danica McCord, 46, and her daughter Destiny McCord, 13, were homicide victims and that Wiley Young, 55, shot himself.

"Green said the autopsy showed Young died from a gunshot wound to his mouth. Both McCords had fatal gunshot wounds to the head.

"Sheriff Jim Johnson said he was not prepared to officially declare the deaths a murder/suicide until he sees the autopsy report, which had not yet been delivered to his office Wednesday. On Tuesday, the sheriff had said there was no search under way for any suspects and no cause for public alarm.

"`Once we see the official documentation we will review it and compare it to the crime scene evidence before making a decision,` Johnson said Wednesday. `If the autopsy result confirms what we found at the crime scene, we will close it.` Until then, the investigation will remain open.

"Johnson said he retrieved cellphones and computers as evidence Wednesday morning. A .45-caliber handgun found near the bodies was taken from the home Tuesday.

"The bodies were found in their County Road 49 home Tuesday around 8:30 a.m. by Young’s son, Jason Young, a game warden for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. "

From djournal.com...

Nephew Reports Murder To Police Before Shooter Kills Himself

"BOYLE, MS — A murder-suicide startled the town of Boyle around noon Saturday.

"According to Bolivar County Deputy Coroner Murry Roark, the incident occurred at 116 S. Illinois Central Ave.

"Jessie Martinez, 51, shot and killed his girlfriend Polly Hart, 45, before Martinez turned the gun on himself.

"`Martinez was still alive when I arrived at the scene but he died shortly after at the Bolivar Medical Center,` said Roark.

"The plan had been to airlift Martinez to the University Medical Center in Jackson but he did not survive.

"Hart was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Roark said Martinez called his nephew and admitted to shooting Hart, then offered his belongings to the nephew and alerted him of his plan to shoot himself.

"The unnamed nephew immediately called Roark, who was the first to respond to the incident.

"The Bolivar County Sheriff's Department also arrived on scene."

From The Bolivar Commercial...

Facebook Post Leads Police To Tragic Scene

"FARMINGTON, MS — Alcorn County authorities are investigating a shooting incident in the Farmington community that left one man dead and an 11-year-old hospitalized with a gunshot wound.

"Sheriff's chief investigator Tommy Hopkins said deputies received a phone call around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday from a woman who became concerned after she read a message on a friend's Facebook page.

"Hopkins said a deputy was sent to a Farmington apartment complex and found the body of 51-year-old Billy Loyd Jr. Loyd's 11-year-old son was found in the same room with a gunshot wound.

"Loyd was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy, whose name has not been released, was in critical condition Thursday at LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis.

"The investigation is continuing.

"`It's such a tragic thing, just a terrible thing,` Hopkins said. `We're still looking into it, trying to find a rhyme or a reason.`

"Hopkins said in the Facebook posting Loyd described his financial troubles, writing that he would soon be evicted from his apartment and he believed his son would be taken from him.

"In closing Loyd gave instructions for his and his son's funeral services and advised anyone reading the note to contact the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department, Hopkins said."

From SFGate...

Two Dead In "Isolated Incident"

"HATTIESBURG, MS — The victims' names in Wednesday night's Dixie Avenue shooting deaths have been released.

"Officers said the bodies of 37 year-old Douglas Regan and 34 year-old Cindy Zepeda were discovered as they were responding to a domestic disturbance call at a house on the 400 block of Dixie Avenue.

"Sources say Regan and Zepeda were not married, but did have children together.

"They said both victims had apparently died of gunshot wounds.

"Police also said the shootings were apparently an isolated incident.

"The bodies will be taken to Jackson for autopsy. Officers also said the case is the first homicide in Hattiesburg in 2012."

From WDAM...

Death At The Exxon Station

"NATCHEZ, MS — Natchez police are investigating a murder-suicide this morning that left a husband and wife dead.

"The Adams County Sheriff's Office has this photo of Daniel Holt on file from a previous arrest. Holt died Wednesday morning.

"Natchez Lt. Craig Godbold said Daniel Holt approached his wife, Erica Holt, while she was in her car at the Exxon gas station at the intersection of Homochitto Street and John R. Junkin Drive early this morning.

"Daniel reportedly shot Erica, who was an employee at the store, and fled the scene, Godbold said.

"Godbold said Natchez police and Adams County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate Daniel after he wrecked his car on Melrose Avenue. Godbold said while police were approaching Daniel, Daniel shot himself.

"Adams County Coroner James Lee said Erica was shot multiple times, and Daniel suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. Lee was called to Natchez Regional Medical Center, where Erica was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m. He was called to Natchez Community Hospital, where Daniel was pronounced dead, at 7:10 a.m.

"Godbold said there was a history of domestic violence between the couple."

From natchezdemocrat.com...

Cousins Killed In Family Dispute

"WAYNE COUNTY, MS — Wayne County authorities said a family dispute ended in a murder-suicide. Authorities said Sonya Davis, 48, was found dead Wednesday afternoon in her trailer on Waynesboro-Shubuta Rd.

"Investigators said she was shot by her cousin, Angela James, 52. Authorities said James then went outside and shot herself. Deputies said the Davis and James lived together, James had moved into Davis' home on Saturday. Both bodies have been taken to Jackson for autopsy.

"The motive behind shooting is still under investigation."

From WDAM.com...