Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following press release.
Multiple shots exchanged but no injuries reported.
Tuesday March 27, 2018 around 7:50 p.m. Rankin County Deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Valley Cove, just outside of Florence, for reports of a disturbance with shots fired. Witnesses advised 911 dispatchers, two vehicles were videotaped leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. Deputies arrived on scene within seven minutes of being dispatched.
The homeowner, where the disturbance occurred, advised Deputies he was speaking with a female, who lives in a camper trailer partially on his property, and a male visitor of hers. The two male subjects began to exchange words. According to the homeowner, the conversation became heated and the male subjects, identified only as “Ricochet”, pulled a weapon and threatened the homeowner.
The homeowner then left the camper, returned to his residence and retrieved a hunting rifle. Witnesses tell Deputies, the homeowner then stood outside his residence and fired one round into the air, followed by at least two rounds in the direction of “Ricochet” and the occupant of the camper.
“Ricochet” then returned fire at the homeowner. The homeowner experienced a weapon malfunction, so he retrieved a second hunting rifle and fired additional shots at “Ricochet” while he was in his vehicle attempting to flee the scene.
A witness stated “Ricochet” was heard staying he had been shot, as he was fleeing the scene. A nearby homeowner heard the disturbance and was able to capture parts of the disturbance on cellphone video.
Deputies and Investigators processing the scene located a projectile that entered the homeowners residence through a front bedroom, traveled down a hall way, striking a drywall room divider and landing under a microwave.
In the driveway where “Ricochet” was parked, was shattered glass from the side window of his pickup. “Ricochet” was located within hours, uninjured, and arrested for shooting into and occupied dwelling. He identified at that time as Richard TOWNSEND.
Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest was contacted, while investigators were processing the scene, and advised of the situation. It was mutually determined, at that time, not to file charges on the homeowner; however he may be facing a charge of shooting into a motor vehicle.
TOWNSEND was charged with one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling and is being held without bond in the Rankin County Jail pending his initial appearance before County Court Judge Kent McDaniel.
It is only by the grace of God no one was injured during this exchange of gunfire. There are reports of nearly a dozen rounds being fired between the two shooters. This type of conduct will not be tolerated in our county, by our residents or those who come visit. We will investigate these types of cases, we will make arrests, where appropriate, and we will prosecute those who choose to disrupt the peace and sanctity of our county to the fullest extent of the law.
19 comments:
Sounds like 'the homeowner' was the first to fire shots (in the air and in the direction of Mr. Ricochet'. So, why was he not arrested?
One bright morning in the middle of the night
two dead boys got up to fight
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other
A deaf policeman heard the noise
and ran to save the two dead boys
If you don't believe this lie is true
ask the blind man, he saw it, too.
...2 vehicles were "Videotaped" leaving the scene... ---
that was funny to me
5’ 9” and 310 lbs? How can you miss a target that size, with a rifle no less.
You nailed it, 8:27. I knew that "headline" looked familiar, but couldn't place it. This "news" story is actually about as comprehensible as that poem. I think KF's alternate headline of "rednecks gonna readneck" is equally on target. Check out the address for Mr. Townsend. It's Jackson, but I doubt many people have a clue where that is. Google the address and be sure to check out the house itself. And this guy is "hanging out" with a woman who resides in a camper trailer that is partially (?) on someone's property in unincorporated Rankin County, sort of back behind Jerry's catfish (the igloo). Wow!
8:26 - Because if someone pulls a gun and threatens you with it, you have the right to shoot him first, generally speaking.
If that's the boyfriend I'll bet the girlfriend looks like Lulu from HeeHaw
8:51, good question but I think you are jumping to a conclusion about the rifles in question, maybe because they are referred to as "hunting" rifles. Given the circumstances, I'm not picturing a recently purchased, high quality rifle with a good scope. Probably more like an inheritied "vintage" gun and/or 30/30 lever action with no scope. Pretty easy to miss something at a distance with such, especially if the shooter is "excited".
His nickname is actually spelt "Ricky Shay."
9:10. You're incorrect in your analysis, even 'generally speaking'. If someone has a weapon and you feel threatened, you are NOT within your right to leave the scene, travel to your home and retrieve a rifle and start firing it in the air and across a field at other people.
He would certainly be within his rights to go home, locate his own gun and take up a defensive position; however, he had already left the scene and was not being threatened (generally speaking).
Hair listed as Black?
Ricky Ray morphs into Ricochet.
Haven't we seen his picture (mugshot) before?
Was the booking officer blind? Why does it state that his hair is black?
His hair is black? I need a new graphics card for my computer.
I corrected this guy once but KF canned it for unknown reasons. Let me try again.
"8:26 - Because if someone pulls a gun and threatens you with it, you have the right to shoot him first, generally speaking."
That's generally true if you are armed and defending yourself; however, under no circumstances, generally speaking or otherwise, do you have a right to leave the scene and find a gun and start firing indiscriminately (in the air and toward the mobile home). There is no way in hell that falls under either the Castle Doctrine or self protection or right to defend.
I find it remarkable that no one has yet condemned the RCSD, or Florence, or talked about the "end of civilization" or that the area is "lost" or "sunk." When it comes to crazy stories like this that involve WHITE FOLKS like us, we laugh and assign funny headlines, make fun of a guy for being fat, etc., etc.
In reality, this behavior is as uncivilized and criminal as the stories posted here about south and west Jackson....and probably for the same damn reasons....
No double standards here.
Anon. 9:28, don't you be dis'ing Lulu or HeeHaw like that! Lulu actually had a pretty tough life, then pulled it together. (No, I didn't know it either till I looked her up.)
Niknar County is still lost.
There's some truth it what 1:07 posted. Let's think about that, shall we?
Post a Comment