Murder suspect still at large, allegedly travels frequently to Adams County
Published 8:54 am Tuesday, November 28, 2017
- Brookhaven police continue to search for Justin Anderson, the man they believe shot and killed one man and injured six more at a party in Brookhaven Friday.
Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins said law enforcement officers with several agencies have combed the streets since the fatal shooting of Billy Ray Thomas around 12:15 a.m. Friday at a private party at Oasis Club on Martin Street at South First Street.
Justin Anderson was initially charged with aggravated assault but is now wanted for murder, Collins said.
A male victim who was shot in the stomach remains in stable condition at University of Mississippi Medical Center, Collins said. Three men and two women who were also injured in the shooting were treated and released at King’s Daughters Medical Center Friday.
“We put the community on lockdown in case of retaliation,” Collins said.
Collins said police are working overtime “to prevent an escalating violence” after the shooting Friday.“We want to keep our community safe,” he said.
Over Friday and Saturday, Brookhaven police participated in a joint detail with Southwest MS Narcotics Task Force, the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the state Bureau of Narcotics. In the course of working safety check points within the city, four individuals were arrested on various charges.
He expects more arrests to come as they look for Anderson.He said Anderson is expected to be traveling between Adams County and Brookhaven.
“He’s back and forth from different places. They always come back to Brookhaven,” he said.
Collins said Anderson was spotted traveling with suspected bank robber Lattrick Williams.
“We’ve got word they’ve been riding and getting around together,” he said.
Williams is a suspect in the Aug. 31 robbery of the Star Town branch of State Bank & Trust Co. at the corner of East Monticello Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Collins said federal marshals are helping in the search and anyone caught helping Anderson will be arrested.
“If you’re helping them, we’re going to charge you too,” he said. “You’re putting yourself in a dangerous position when you’re riding with them. We’re not going to put up with anybody threatening the safety of innocent people.”
Anyone with information about the location of the suspect is asked to call Brookhaven Police Department at 601-833-2424, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 601-833-5251 or CrimeStoppers at 601-823-0150. Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.