NATCHEZ — Seven men charged in connection with the Oct. 1 murder of Richard Frazier and a series of shootings that terrorized residents all across the city had their cases sent Tuesday to a grand jury.

Natchez Municipal Judge Lisa Dale advanced the cases Tuesday after conducting preliminary hearings in the cases of Datarrius Matthews and Damion Green.

Five other suspects waived their rights to a preliminary hearing and will also have their cases sent to the grand jury.

The grand jury will decide whether to bring criminal charges against the suspects and send their cases to trial.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said he was pleased with Tuesday’s court proceedings.

“It is very important that the victims have an advocate for them,” Armstrong said. “The victim in this case was the entire city of Natchez.”

Armstrong said the Oct. 1 shootings at Old Washington Road, St. Catherine Street, Jefferson Street and West Steirs Lane — shootings his department believes are connected — had the potential to harm many more people than they did.

“We have to send a strong message to the criminal element that such actions will not be tolerated and not go unnoticed,” he said.

In a preliminary hearing for Matthews, who is charged with one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault, Natchez Police Detective Gerald Mooney said three survelliance videos and a series of 911 calls connects the shooting at Old Washington Road, Auburn Avenue, Jefferson Street and West Stiers Lane.

Mooney said police detectives believe the series of shootings began with two shootings at the Zipy convenience store on Old Washginton Road — one on Sept 30 and another at 1 a.m. on Oct. 1.

Video from the convenience store and two other survelliance videos from Jefferson Street and from West Stiers Lane helped detectives link the shootings.

Mooney said video of a vehicle traveling west on Jefferson Street shows seven black males in the back of a white pickup truck firing at another car in front of it.

Bullet casings similar to those used in AK-47 and SKS assault rifles were found on Jefferson Street. Similar casings were also found at the Zipy on Old Washington Road and near the intersection of Auburn Avenue and St. Catherine Street.

With the help of a series of 911 calls from residents, detectives were able to trace the path of the car from Jefferson Street where it then turned onto Commerce Street  (traveling the wrong way) to Union Street to West Stiers Lane.

Frazier was later found shot to death on West Stiers Lane near Texas Street.

After listening to the testimony, Dale determined enough evidence existed to advance Matthew’s case to the grand jury.

Dale also presided over the preliminary hearing for Green, who is charged with one count of aggravated assault in connection with the Oct. 1 shooting on Old Washington Road. Dale also sent Green’s case to the grand jury.

Other suspects who waived their right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday include:

• Cleophus Robinson, on charges of murder and four counts of aggravated assault
• Kendrick Thomas, on charges of murder and four counts of aggravated assault
• Jadarius McKnight, on one count of aggravated assault.

Previously, the following suspects waived their right to a preliminary hearing:

• Garrick Johnson, on charges of murder and four counts of aggravated assault
• Stacy Woods, on charges of murder and five counts of aggravated assault.

All of the cases have been sent to the grand jury.

Two other suspects in the case have yet to be arraigned in connection with the shooting.

Harry Smith Jr. was arrested on Oct. 16 in Cleveland, Tenn., by U.S. Marshals and was transported to Natchez. Armstrong said he is now in custody will be charged with one count of murder and five counts of aggravated assault.

Kiandas Washington was arrested on Oct. 19 by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on a stolen weapons charge.

Armstrong said the Natchez Police Department is also in the process of getting a warrant for Jreymarcius Reason, who was arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol after a high-speed chase near Longview, Texas.  Reason was arrested on possession of a stolen weapon by a convicted felon and felon fleeing charges. Armstrong said Natchez Police want to bring in Reason for questioning in connection with the Oct. 1 shootings.