Weekend shootings kill one, wound two

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

Multiple shooting incidents left one person dead, two people wounded and 
being the main topic of conservation during Monday's meeting of the 
Wayne County Board of Supervisors.

It all began with a pair of shooting incidents Thursday night that 
wounded two people.

Officers with the Waynesboro Police Department responded to a shooting 
near the corner of Mississippi Drive and Fairview Drive around 9:30 p.m. 
Thursday. According to WPD Investigator Neal Street, a man was found 
suffering from gunshot wounds to his shoulder and his side. He was 
transported to Wayne General Hospital with non-life threatening 
injuries. He was later transported to a hospital in Hattiesburg.

Street said an abandoned vehicle was found on Highway 84 near the 
Woodard Switch Road exit and it was brought in for processing.

While officers were at Wayne General working the first shooting, a 
shooting took place around 9:55 p.m. Thursday on Mitchell Street. 
Officers found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound in his left leg. 
He was transported to Wayne general and later transported to a medical 
facility in Mobile, Ala.

Street said early indications were that a confrontation or possible 
domestic dispute led to the shooting.

The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to 
call the WPD at 601-735-3192.

Early Sunday morning, deputies and investigators with the Wayne County 
Sheriff's Department responded to a call on Sand Bottom Drive at 12:08 
a.m.

Once emergency responders arrived on the scene, they found Jeffery 
Miller, 55, sitting on a four-wheeler. Emergency medical personnel and 
Coroner Phillip Brewer pronounced him dead at the scene.

Sheriff Jerry "Juice" Mosley said the four-wheeler was on the side of 
the road and had suffered gunshot wounds. The sheriff said Miller was a 
resident of Sand Bottom Drive.

"It's under investigation and we need anyone to come forward with 
information that will help us solve this case," Mosley said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 601-735-2323 
or call 9-1-1 and ask for an investigator.

The incidents were the first thing address during Monday's meeting of 
the supervisors. A moment of silence for the victims and their families 
started the meeting.

"We have a crisis," said Board President Keith Clay said. "I know the 
Sheriff's Department is doing all it can, but we have to wrap our hands 
around this in order to get Wayne County back to the Wayne County I 
remember and loved.

"I would ask everyone to go to church and put Wayne County on the prayer 
list. I truly believe in Wayne County, and it is filled with good 
people. There are just a few cells of folks disrupting our way of life."

Mosley told the Board that things have escaped over the last two weeks.

"Everyone needs to be praying," Mosley said. "This is foolish and I 
don't have a solution other than God. 

"Every bit of this — from the shootings, overdoses and suicides — is 
uncalled for. It gets to be overwhelming when it comes in waves like 
this. The kids and young adults who are doing this aren't in church. 
This affects the entire county."

It was suggested that outside help from the Department of Public Safety 
and other agencies be called in to assist, but Mosley said the issue 
comes down to people providing information.

"We can get outside help, but the people won't talk," Mosley said. 
"There is a real fear of retaliation."

Waynesboro Mayor Scott Frost was also in attendance at the meeting and 
said a more aggressive approach might be in order.

"We're going to have to get proactive," Frost said. "They are on 
Facebook so maybe we need to blow up Facebook with photos of those who 
have warrants issued against them.

"I'm not asking that we be lawbreakers, but we need to work smarter than 
these guys. They are outmaneuvering us and we need to get out in front 
of them."

Mosley said his department is more than willing to work with the 
Waynesboro Police Department when they have calls where assistance is 
needed. Frost said the WPD would be willing to do the same.

"Something has got to change because there is a black cloud hanging over 
us right now."