Homicides, not traffic fatalities, dominate Memorial Day

On holiday weekends, the public eye turns to traffic deaths.

But this holiday weekend, around the state, there were two traffic fatalities. Meanwhile, there were at least nine homicides or death investigations.

There were shootings, stabbings, and even a beating in a bar fight.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said it's hard to say without quantifiable data, but the number does seem inordinately high.

"You just look at the number itself and it seems high," he said.

Authorities say typically violent crime increases over the summer, in part because school is out and in part because the heat tends to exacerbate violence.

"There are so many variables that play into these situations that it's hard to nail it down to any one specific criterion," Strain said.

Nonetheless, the statewide picture seems violent over the Memorial Day holiday.

Jackson

Brandon Terrell Washington, 35, was shot in the head as he sat inside a car on Henley Street Monday night. Authorities are investigating  possible suspects.

Lexington

Edward James Randle, 34, was found stabbed on Brozeville Road Sunday. Sheriff Willie March said Randle’s girlfriend turned herself in to authorities that afternoon, and he believes the situation to be related to domestic violence.

Newton

A body believed to be Tommie Wilson of Georgia was found Monday evening by police in a wooded area just north of I-20 by a Shell station and truck stop. Wilson was reported missing on May 25. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to decide if this will be ruled a homicide.

McComb

Liston Terrell Brown, 29, was stabbed to death Saturday. Authorities have charged Triana Anderson with second-degree murder.

Shaun Wallace, 25, was pronounced dead shortly after being beaten in a fight at Upper Deck Sports Bar Monday night. Police are looking for the suspect.

Greenville

Jaricky Jackson, 25, was shot multiple times on Eighth Street Sunday and died en route to the hospital. Police have issued a capital murder warrant against Markee Gibson, 19, saying he is believed to be armed and dangerous and traveling in south Mississippi.

Pearl

Justin Deshaun Jenkins, 25, was shot Tuesday morning at the Southern Gardens Mobile Home Park and died later that day. Authorities say a woman accused of shooting him will not face charges.

Perry County

A woman was stabbed to death Monday night at a home on north Mississippi 15 near Richton. Authorities had yet to release her name as of Tuesday afternoon.

Yazoo City

Alfred M. Coleman, 40, died after a Monday morning stabbing at the Magnolia Crossing Apartments. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday.