Two young Carthage men have been arrested in a birthday party shooting that left a teenager dead and three other people wounded in Philadelphia. But Police Chief Eric Lyons says the case is far from being wrapped up…
“These two guys we do believe were involved but we also believe that there were several people involved just as equal to these two as well.”
And the chief says there’s a lot of information to sort through…
“We’ve gotten hundreds of calls and tips in reference to different names. We’re just doing our best to sort through facts, what’s true and what’s not true, following up with every lead just to ensure that we’re putting the right people behind bars.”
Ja’Tavious Johnson and Jacob Triplett, both 20 years old, are charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. They were arrested in Leake County Sunday with the help of Carthage police and the Leake County sheriff’s office.
The victim, Jamari Hickman, 19, was found shot several times on West Walnut Street early Sunday and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. A female who was shot in the leg was taken to a Jackson hospital. Another female and a male who were grazed by bullets were treated and released.
The chief says the party was supposed to have been a small one but after it was advertised on social media, about 150 people, maybe more, showed up…
“That crowd drew people from all neighboring counties, from Lauderdale, Scott to Newton, Leake County as well, Attala. People from all over the place were at this party.”
But the investigation indicates that the shooting may have been the result of an ongoing feud between the suspects and the victim…
“There was a shooting in Leake County, Carthage, last year, involving the victim’s brother.”
Lyons says the brother was arrested in the Carthage shooting and the victim there may have been an acquaintance of the suspects in the Philadelphia shooting.
The chief says even though they’ve received lots of tips, they still want to hear from anyone who was at the party…
“We need those individuals to come forward with any information that they do have, whether minimal or significant. Anything they have would truly help this case.”
