Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office began receiving 911 calls reporting a red Chevrolet SUV bearing a Florida license plate traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 49.
Rankin County deputies immediately began responding to the area. Additional callers reported that the vehicle had turned onto Dixie Road in the Star community. Witnesses then reported that the driver had driven the SUV onto the railroad tracks near the Airgas facility, where the vehicle came to a stop and blocked the tracks.
Recognizing the immediate danger, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers quickly contacted the railroad in an effort to stop any approaching trains. Dispatchers were advised that a freight train was already traveling toward the location.
Because of the quick actions of our dispatchers, the approaching train was able to stop approximately 200 yards from the vehicle, preventing a potentially catastrophic collision and possible loss of life, injuries, and significant property damage.
After leaving the SUV on the railroad tracks, the suspect walked to Dixie Road, where he approached a passing motorist and allegedly attempted to enter the vehicle and take it from the driver.
The motorist, a Rankin County resident who owns and operates a firearms store and firearms training facility in Flowood, feared for his safety and produced a firearm. The citizen held the suspect at gunpoint until Rankin County deputies arrived and took him into custody without further incident.
The suspect has been identified as Ronnie Percy Holmes, 22, of Florida.
Holmes was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for evaluation prior to being booked into the Rankin County Jail.
Holmes is expected to appear before Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow on charges ofAttempted Carjacking and Obstructing a Railway.
The Mississippi Office of Homeland Security and the Jackson Office of the FBI have been notified of the incident due to the circumstances surrounding the intentional obstruction of a railway.
Sheriff Bryan Bailey praised the actions of the dispatchers, deputies, and citizen involved:
“This incident could have ended in tragedy. I am extremely proud of our dispatchers who immediately recognized the danger and took action to get the approaching train stopped. I am equally proud of our deputies for their quick response, and I am thankful for the citizen who was prepared to protect himself and safely held the suspect until our deputies arrived. The actions of everyone involved helped prevent what could have been a terrible tragedy.”
Kingfish note: Florida man picked the wroooooong county.
17 comments:
The dispatchers jumped on the tracks and held up their hands indicating that the train should stop. Superman style. Good job.
When brains were being distributed this rocket surgeon thought they said trains and he missed his.
If only he had done this in Jackson he would be home free.
Tell me again that legal carriers are gun nuts.
Enjoy your stay.
Salute to the deputies for their quick response but sounds more like the title should read “Armed Citizen Stops Carjacking”….
Gah lee why couldn’t the gun store owner have ended him.
Is driving in the wrong direction on a US Highway no longer against the law these days?
Exactly! GGWAG (Good Guy With a Gun). But Bailey never misses a chance to pat himself on the back.
Bad boys bad boys which you going to do when sheriff Bailey comes for you
Sad but true. Jackson has safe places for criminals
"Holmes was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for evaluation..."
A lot of different ways that could be read, and one or two more if read aloud. It sounds like he aided in the evaluation by parking his truck on railroad tracks, walking away, and attempting to carjack an older white guy driving a truck with a wrap that basically said, "I'm armed and I spend time at the range." True enough, the former is a fair assumption with most vehicles around these parts, but latter isn't always THAT clear.
Rhodes scholar no doubt!
What a maroon..
They have run out of Covid funds. Economy sucks. High gas and rent. They will not work. And they want to drive around and use and sell drugs. Problem is the buyers of drugs have no money so the sellers have no money. Expect more and more of this.
Hopefully, the trip to UMMC included drug testing.
"Florida man"
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