Two men apprehended in Oct.1 shooting, once captured in Tennessee

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, October 18, 2017

 

NATCHEZ — Two more suspects connected by authorities to an Oct. 1 shooting spree are in custody following arrests Monday and Tuesday.

At approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday, Natchez Police Capt. Scott Frye said police arrested Datarrius Matthews, 24, on charges of murder and four counts of aggravated assault.

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The arrest comes just one day after U.S. Marshals arrested Harry Kenyon Smith Jr., 19, Monday in Tennessee on charges of murder and five counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shootings in Natchez.

The Natchez Police Department is in the process of transporting Harry Kenyon Smith Jr., 19, back to the city, Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said.

Armstrong also said Smith Jr. had a stolen weapon in his possession when apprehended in Cleveland, Tenn.

The arrests stem from the alleged murder of Richard Frazier, 34, whom was shot and killed in the early morning hours Oct. 1 while Frazier sat in his vehicle on West Stiers Lane.

Smith and Matthews are believed by police to be part of a group that rode around in a white pickup truck and fired more than 130 shots from a high-powered assault rifle at random throughout Natchez.

He is the fourth suspect arrested of a total of eight individuals that police have identified as suspects in association with the shootings.

The eight suspects are facing a combined five murder charges and approximately 25 aggravated assault charges, Armstrong said.

The other three suspects in custody so far are:

  • Cleophus Robinson, 20, on charges of murder and four counts aggravated assault
  • Garrick Lamont Johnson, 27, on charges of murder and four counts aggravated assault
  • Damion Green, 22, on one count of aggravated assault

Armstrong also released the names of the four remaining suspects with outstanding warrants:

  • Stacy Woods Jr., 20, on charges of murder and five counts aggravated assault
  • Kiandas Washington, 19, on charges of murder and four counts aggravated assault
  • Harry Smith Sr., 39, and father of the man arrested Monday in Tennessee, on a charge of accessory to aggravated assault
  • Jadarrius McKnight, 18, on a charge of aggravated assault

Armstrong would not release all of the specific details surrounding the shootings, but he hinted that the events unfolded because of conflict between some of the suspects and their target.

“We believe that there were some disputes going on between different individuals that (the suspects) are familiar with, but in the crossfire, they put the whole community at risk of being harmed when they went on this shooting rampage,” Armstrong said.

“We do know that three vehicles were shot that were all occupied, but we don’t believe two of the vehicles was their target. We do believe one of the vehicles that were shot was targeted.”

Armstrong said citizens should “rest assured” that all those suspected of involvement in the shootings will be arrested and asked the public to contact the Natchez Police Department or Crime Stoppers with any information that could lead to an arrest.

“These individuals should be considered dangerous … they have already proven that they are very irresponsible in their handling of firearms.”

Armstrong said the department has worked in collaboration with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Federal Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the case.