NATCHEZ — Natchez police charged three suspects with murder Wednesday in connection with the Jan. 3 shooting death of a liquor store employee on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Natchez Lt. Craig Godbold said James H. Anderson Jr., 21, 341 Old Washington Road, Eddie Minor, 16, 17 Prentiss St., and Kenneth J. Carver Jr., 21, 111 Ann Holdens Lane, were charged with armed robbery and murder. Minor was charged as an adult.

Godbold said police believe Anderson, Minor and Carver ambushed Tyrone Bernard, 49, 308 1/2 S. Bluebird Drive, while he was closing up DD’s Package Store at approximately 10 p.m.

Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford has said four individuals were waiting in the alley beside the store for Bernard. Godbold said Wednesday NPD is not certain there is a fourth suspect.

“But the investigation is still open,” he said.

When Bernard came outside, Ford has said, the suspects rushed him and attempted to rob him.

Bernard reportedly fought with one of the suspects and then was shot, Ford has said.

Bernard reportedly attempted to leave the scene in his car, Ford has said, presumably to get help, but died shortly after getting in his vehicle. Ford said Bernard’s vehicle cruised approximately 40 feet across the street, hitting the side of the Extreme Rim Shop building.

Bernard died of a single gunshot wound to the left abdomen. Godbold said police are still working to identify which of the suspects actually shot Bernard.

Bernard, a Natchez native, was the father of three children, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, an avid horseback rider and attended Macedonia Baptist Church.

Anyone with any information about the murder should call NPD at 601-445-5565 or Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000.

Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for a tip leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.