Natchez woman arrested in connection with fatal shooting

Published 5:37 pm Sunday, April 29, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — A Natchez resident was arrested Sunday in connection with a fatal shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Street, officials say.

Natchez police arrested Monique Shaquera Noble, no age provided, 301 McNeely Road, in the death of Luquitia R. Owens, who was shot at Club Rockefeller at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Chief Walter Armstrong said.

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Noble is charged with second-degree murder and being held without bond.

Armstrong said Owens was in an altercation with another person at the time of her death and that Noble was not originally involved in the fight, but intervened to try to break up the fight.

Armstrong said Noble pulled out a pistol and used it to hit Owens twice. While striking Owens with the gun, Armstrong said the pistol went off, striking Owens in the neck.

Owens was lying on the sidewalk beside St. Catherine Street when officers arrived, Natchez Police Capt. Scott Frye said.

Owens died of her wounds at Merit Health Natchez.

“I continue to pray for my city all the time but these shootings continue to happen,” said Adams County Coroner James Lee, who pronounced Owens’ death. “I am appalled and horrified.”

Lee said Owens’ body was sent to the state crime lab in Jackson for autopsy and possible evidence gathering.

Also arrested at the scene was Caleb Walton Jr., on charges of simple assault by fear of imminent serious bodily harm, disorderly conduct and felon carrying a concealed weapon.

Armstrong said officers have no indication that Walton was involved in Owens’ death.

Armstrong said further arrests in the incident were possible, not just the person investigators believe pulled the trigger.

“We want to find everyone responsible,” he said.

Armstrong said the public has been a huge help in this investigation and that all help given to the department aids officers in protecting the community.

“None of this happened because of self defense,” Armstrong said. “It happened because people chose to settle their arguments with deadly force.”

Armstrong said the discharge of weapons in city limits endangers all residents.

“We want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Armstrong said. “They are putting themselves and other residents in harm’s way.”