Six people were killed and one person was wounded Friday in a mass shooting at three separate crime scenes in the tiny Tate County town of Arkabutla – the hometown of famed actor James Earl Jones.
“We don’t have a lot of violent crime here,” said Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance. “This is shocking.”Lance said the suspect is identified Richard Dale Crum, 52, of Arkabutla.
He’s been charged with first-degree murder and the sheriff said he anticipates more charges will be filed. Crum is being held without bail in the Tate County Jail.
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Among the victims were Crum’s ex-wife and his stepfather. He also wounded George Drane, his ex-wife’s current husband.“I wrestled with him and I lost, as you can see. But my wife lost more,” Drane told television station WMC. “We had just gotten home from the doctor. She’d had a stroke, but we had a good day at the doctor’s office. We ate some soup when we got home and we were going to go into town.”
Another victim was discovered at a nearby convenience store. He was found dead inside a pickup truck outside the store.
“I had just woken up and I look back here, and I see dude walking back here with a shotgun,” eyewitness Ethan Cash told television station WREG.The Daily Memphian identified the others killed as Debra Crum, 60; Charles Manuel, 76; John Rorie, 59; George McCain, 78; and Lynda McCain, 78. Lentz also said Boyce was from Lakeland, Florida.
Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance explains the shooting rampage that occurred earlier today. @ABC24Memphis pic.twitter.com/vVTsjviwpx
— Ian Ripple (@Ripple1026) February 18, 2023
A gunman went on a shooting rampage in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Richard Dale Crum, 51, was charged with first-degree murder, Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance said https://t.co/X7wlzE5lfy pic.twitter.com/1Hc9ufsITk
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 18, 2023
The Tate County Board of Supervisors released a statement calling for prayers in the tiny community.
“Our hearts are heavy as we learned about the tragic event that happened in Arkabutla. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this tragedy,” the statement read. “May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time. We know that no words can ever replace the loved ones that have been lost, but please know that we stand with you during this difficult time.”
President Biden used the heinous attack to call for gun control.
“Jill and I are mourning for the six killed in today’s violence in Tate County, Mississippi — as we have for far too many Americans. We grieve with their families and with Americans nationwide as gun violence claims yet more lives. We are also praying for the recovery of those injured in this horrendous attack, and for survivors who will carry both grief and trauma with them for the rest of their lives,” the president said in a statement.
