Attala County authorities have released new details following two deadly shootings that led to a manhunt Sunday afternoon.
According to Attala County Sheriff Curtis Pope, deputies and EMS were first dispatched around 1:40 p.m. on March 29 to Attala Rd. 1107 after reports of a man shot in the roadway. Upon arrival, deputies found 67-year-old Tim Lawrence of Attala County deceased at the scene.
Investigators began processing evidence and quickly received tips that led to the identification of a suspect, 41-year-old Chris Hughes of Attala County. Authorities were informed that Hughes had been picked up and was traveling as a passenger in a gray GM truck. The search for Hughes began.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., deputies were called to a second shooting on Attala Rd. 1141, about four miles from the first scene. When they arrived, they located the gray GM truck wrecked. The driver, 46-year-old Jeffery Mallet Jr. of Attala County, was transported to Baptist Attala Hospital with gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries.
Sheriff Pope says the manhunt for Hughes was launched with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. Officials established a perimeter, set up checkpoints, and deployed drones along with a Mississippi Highway Patrol helicopter to aid in the search. A warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence, but no one was found inside.
Shortly afterward, deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the area. Authorities say Hughes had attempted to enter a residence through a back door when the homeowner fired a weapon, striking him. EMS transported Hughes to Baptist Attala Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Sheriff Pope expressed appreciation for the coordinated response, thanking numerous agencies for their assistance, including the Kosciusko Police Dept., Leake Co. Sheriff’s Office, Neshoba Co. Sheriff’s Office, Scott Co. Sheriff’s Office, Winston Co. Sheriff’s Office, Ms. Highway Patrol, Ms. Bureau of Investigations, Ms. Dept. of Wildlife and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
