At approximately 5:30 p.m. today, deputies and detectives with the Pike County Sheriff’s Department gang unit stopped a vehicle on Highway 48 in Magnolia after determining the vehicle’s occupants were wanted for questioning in a drive-by shooting in Walthall County about an hour earlier, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies immediately coordinated with the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office and are working closely with its investigators, the department said. Officers found and seized multiple firearms and controlled substances inside the vehicle. The individuals detained will be transported to the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office for further questioning, and charges from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office are pending.
Sheriff Bryant Wally Jones issued a statement saying, “Once again, this is a message to the criminal element: Don’t come to Pike County because you’re going to get caught. We are not playing games when it comes to protecting our communities. We are tough on crime, and we will not allow criminals to affect the quality of life of the citizens of Pike County or the citizens of our neighboring counties. If you choose to bring crime into this area, you should expect to be held accountable.”
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office for the partnership and noted that all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Interagency cooperation is common in investigations that cross county lines and can speed evidence collection and questioning.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
