Police Probe Drive-By Shooting
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WATER VALLEY – A house and vehicle were struck by rounds fired during a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon on Stevens Street. Water Valley Police Chief
Jason Mangrum reported officers were dispatched at 3:27 after a 911 caller reported gunfire.
“Thankfully there were no injuries,” Mangrum said. “We believe there were a total of five shots fired.”
The caller provided a vehicle description and an officer stopped a vehicle matching it shortly after the shooting. Mangrum added that a very active investigation is underway, and his department does have a person of interest in the case. The chief also said the suspect is incarcerated on an unrelated incident.
“We have learned there is a possible video of this incident, so we are still working on search warrants as the investigation continues,” Mangrum added.
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• Officers investigated a vehicle striking and seriously injuring a pedestrian at the intersection of North Court and Central street on December 14. The pedestrian, 52 year-old Carl Hawkins, remains in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis with multiple broken bones and a brain bleed. The chief said the incident occurred at night and Hawkins was wearing dark clothes.
“Everything that we have determined during the course of this investigation points to an accident. The driver of the vehicle was not impaired. Witnesses reported he came to a complete stop before pulling away from the intersection when the impact occurred.” Mangrum said.
• Landon Mills of Abbeville was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for failure to yield to blue lights after leading police on a short pursuit on December 18. Mangrum reported officers attempted to stop Mills in the Boyd Street area for a traffic violation.
“It was a short pursuit and did not elevate to felony charges,” Mangrum said. “And once he stopped, he owned up to it.”
A small amount of marijuana was allegedly discarded by Mills during the pursuit.
• Officers investigated a hit and run wreck on North Main Street on December 9 that led to two DUI arrests. Mangrum explained that one person in the vehicle remained behind, while two others left the scene.
Justina Pritchard, 38, of Water Valley was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and DUI-other.
Bernard White, 50, of Water Valley was also charged with DUI-other after bringing Pritchard to the police station after the accident for questioning.
“White was a passenger at the time of the accident. He and Pritchard swapped places when they came to the department,” Mangrum added.
• In another arrest, Leroy Boles, 56, of Water Valley was charged with felony DUI and possession of a controlled substance. Mangrum reported officers initiated a DUI investigation after detecting the odor of an intoxicating beverage after stopping Boles.
“We determined that Mr. Boles had multiple prior convictions for DUI, which elevated the charges to felony DUI for the third or subsequent offense,” Mangrum said. The controlled substance was also found in Boles’ possession during the investigation.
A passenger in the vehicle, Antonio Brooks, age 33 of Water Valley, was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine during the traffic stop.
