By Gene Coleman & Scott Hawkins

NATCHEZ — Natchez police are investigating a double homicide that occurred early Friday morning, authorities said.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said the victims, Tavonte White, 23, of Natchez and Alisha Justice, 21, of Missouri City, Texas, were shot multiple times at approximately 4 a.m. Friday as they traveled on E. Franklin Street in a 2006 Honda Accord.

The car stopped when it hit a brick wall in the parking lot of the Stew Pot, Lee said.

“The car is covered in gunshots,” Lee said.

Lee said he pronounced the victims dead at 5:40 a.m. Friday and the bodies were transported to Jackson for autopsies.

“It’s just another horrible incident for the city of Natchez,” Lee said.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said the double homicide still is under investigation.

“We’re still taking information about anyone who may have seen either of the two deceased before the shooting,” Armstrong said, “whether they were in a conversation or in an argument or who they may have seen them with.”

Capt. T. McGehee of the Natchez Police Department said police are familiar with White through previous arrests that include burglary and aggravated assault.

McGehee said White also was under grand jury indictment for armed robbery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Additionally, McGehee said, White failed to appear Nov. 8 at Circuit Court for a hearing on controlled substance charges.

McGehee said White had been shot before and that no arrests were made in those shootings because White did not cooperate with investigators.