Family quarrel ends in apartment shoot-out

Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NATCHEZ — A family disagreement led to an afternoon shoot-out at Riverbreeze Apartments Wednesday, leaving one man injured and bystanders fearful for their lives.

Victor Johnson, 29, was shot in the right thigh after having an argument with two relatives at approximately 4:45 p.m., Natchez Police Lt. Craig Godbold said.

One of Johnson’s relatives, James Williams, 21, was being held at the Natchez Police Department for questioning. The other relative, Sharron Thomas, 26, is believed to have shot Johnson after Johnson fired shots at Williams and chased Williams down North Shields Lane.

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Godbold said Johnson fired the first shots outside of his apartment — Apartment P1. Johnson then ran after Williams, chasing him down a grassy hill adjacent to his apartment building and onto North Shields Lane toward the Exxon gas station, firing shots as he ran.

Police are currently searching for Thomas, who is likely armed. Godbold said Thomas faces one count of aggravated assault.

Johnson was transported by ambulance to Natchez Community Hospital, where he was arrested Wednesday evening immediately following his release.

Godbold said Johnson is charged with one count of aggravated assault and is being held at the Natchez City Jail without bond until arraignment.

Williams will not face criminal charges.

Investigators have retrieved the pistol Johnson used in the shooting, and Godbold said the three men were reportedly arguing about drugs, but no drugs were found in Johnson’s apartment.

Adults and children alike stood near the crime scene as Natchez Police and Adams County sheriff’s deputies surveyed Johnson’s apartment.

D’Marcus Robinson was dropping off his nephews at his sister’s apartment and ascending the stairs when he heard gunshots.

“I heard, ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop!’” Robinson said. “I told my nephews to get those little legs up them stairs, and I didn’t look back for nothing because bullets have no one’s name on it.”

Brandy Havard, whose building is right across the street from Johnson’s, said she nor her two young daughters heard the gunshots. Other bystanders at the scene also claimed they heard nothing.

“We usually hear everything that’s going on, but today for some reason we didn’t hear anything,” Havard said.

“I’ve lived here for six years, and I’ve never seen anything like this happen.”