Arkabutla left reeling in wake of murder spree by lone gunman
Six people in Arkabutla are dead following a shooting spree Friday.
Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance said even though the department is in the early stages of the investigation, they believe the gunman acted alone. TCSO determined Crum was armed with a shotgun and two handguns to perpetrate the killings.
Richard Crum, was apprehended by TCSO deputies and booked into Tate County Jail at approximately 3:28 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17.
Tate County Sheriff's Office made the following statement on social media:
"As many of you are aware, earlier today there was a series of shootings at three different locations in Arkabutla, resulting in the deaths of six people. We are in the very early stages of the investigation so we can only release a limited amount of information. What we do want the community to know is that the suspect is in custody. Richard Dale Crum, 52, of Arkabulta was arrested this afternoon and charged with first degree murder in connection with this case. Additional charges, for each of the other victims, will be filed in the coming days. Crum is being held without bond in the Tate County Jail."
According to reports, the shootings began at the Arkabutla Dam Store, where one male victim was shot at around 11 a.m. while siting inside his pickup truck parked at the convenience store.
TCSO deputies were working the crime scene when a second 911 dispatch call came in to report a shooting a few miles away on Bend Road. When deputies arrived on scene they found the body of scrum's ex-wife and her current husband wounded after being hit with a blunt object.
Lance reported TCSO deputies were able to locate Crum outside his residence. After arresting him, TCSO deputies located the bodies of two handymen behind Crum’s home. One was slain in the road and another was in an SUV. In a neighboring home, deputies located the bodies of Crum’s stepfather and his stepfather’s sister. Both were also slain by gun fire.
Crum has been charged with one count capital murder for the murder of Debra Crum and one count first degree murder for the killing of Chris Boyce, 59. He is being held without bond, but Lance said other charges were coming. Boyce was shot at the Arkabutla Dam Store. According to reports, Boyce’s brother was also in the truck, but fled the scene through a local wooded area. Sheriff Lance confirmed Crum chased after him, but he escaped unharmed.
Tate County Deputy Coroner Ernie Lentz identified the others killed as Crum's ex-wife, Debra Crum, 60; Charles Manuel, 76; John Rorie, 59; George McCain, 73; and Lynda McCain, 78. Lentz also said Boyce was from Lakeland, Fla.
Coldwater Elementary School and High School both went on lockdown during the event due to the proximity to the schools, but all students and staff were safe during the entire incident.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from the New Orleans office and Mississippi Bureau of Investigations provided assistance to the sheriff’s department. A top priority of the investigation is to determine the motive.
In a statement released Friday night, President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were mourning the six victims and praying for the survivors. He urged Congress to act now on gun law reforms to address what he called “an epidemic” of gun violence.
"That includes requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, fully closing the boyfriend loophole to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets," President Biden said. "These are commonsense steps that Congress could take right now and save lives."
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also commented about the killing on social media sites, Friday evening.
"At this time, we believe he acted alone," Reeves said in a statement on Facebook. "His motive is not yet known."
