Five males, two adults and three juveniles, are in custody charged with murder in connection with an altercation in western Tate County, according to local law enforcement authorities.
Sheriff Brad Lance said deputies were dispatched Monday, Dec. 28, at approximately 3 p.m., to a residence in the 8000 block of Tate-Panola Road after receiving reports of a shooting incident.
Lance said deputies discovered a deceased adult male at the scene with apparent gunshot wounds. He identified the subject as Antonio Oliver, 46, of Sarah.
An eyewitness was able to provide investigators from the Tate County Sheriff’s Office with detailed information of the incident including a description of the perpetrators and the vehicle they were driving, according to Lance.
He said a subsequent investigation, with assistance from authorities from Panola and Quitman Counties, led to the arrest of five individuals who were later charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Lance identified two of the suspects as Lajarron J. Walton, 19, of Crenshaw, and Martavious D. Frost, 17, of Como. He said three juveniles, ages 13, 14, and 15, from Quitman County were charged as adults in connection with the incident.
All five had their initial appearance in Tate County Justice Court on Wednesday, Dec. 30. They will be held at the Tate County Jail without bond until a preliminary hearing on Jan. 14.
Lance said investigators are examining the case, but robbery could have been a motive in the shooting.
