Clarksdale Police are investigating the fifth homicide this year after a man was shot Thursday night in South Clarksdale.
Police reports said officers were called to the 2100 block of Center Street at 10:12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, and upon arrival found Aldrict Hill, Jr., 25, deceased at that location.
Police said Tuesday night they had arrested and charged a 17 year old male juvenile with murder for the shooting death of Hill. Police did not give the name of the man.
Juveniles within a year of their 18th birthday are traditionally charged as adults in serious crimes, and juveniles as young as 15, can be charged as adults for murder, rape, kidnapping and arson that results in a death.
Police said Hill had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police reports did not give a possible motive for the shooting or if the death was related to other homicides in the community over the past two months.
Police said in a statement shortly after the murder they had a person of interest and were continuing their investigation.
“This is all the information that can be released at this time,” the statement continued. “Further information that can be released will be released when it becomes available.”
“It was the hard work and teamwork of the Clarksdale Police, Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office and several other outside law enforcement agencies that this arrest occurred,” said Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley.
Hill, Ladell Porter, Lonnie Stacker and Kendrick Marion, were arrested for shooting into a dwelling with firearm enhancement and shooting into a motor vehicle with firearm enhancement and were most recently reported and listed on the Coahoma County Circuit Court docket for trial.
Clarksdale has recorded a homicide every week for the past three weeks and two homicides in January.
Police have only announced this arrest and another arrest in those five homicides. The other arrest was a domestic disturbance where a woman was shot and killed by a man she knew. Police made an arrest after the suspect turned himself in to police.
Aggravated Assaults
Police are also investigating two aggravated assaults that occurred at about the same time last week.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, police were called to the 500 block of Pecan Street where a man was shot one time in the buttock.
Police reports said the man – who was not identified – was outside his residence when the shooting occurred. No description of a possible shooter or vehicle was given.
The man was transported to Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale where he was treated for his injuries.
The second shooting was reported at 2:23 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and police, responding to the scene, reported that a male subject was shot in the arm and knee while inside a car in the 700 block of South State Street by an unknown subject.
Aggravated assault is defined as injury or threat to a person to make them fear for their life or assault with a weapon. It is punishable by up to 20-years in prison and a $10,000 fine. An adult who assaults a juvenile can find the penalty enhanced to 30-years in prison.
Aggravated assault is a felony and shooting into a home can also be deemed a felony if prosecutors and judges wish to pursue it.
Attempted murder is just that, an attempt to murder somebody. This charge is reserved for people who unsuccessfully try to kill another person. For whatever reason, the murder didn’t happen, and even though the alleged perpetrator didn’t actually take someone’s life, they've still committed a very serious crime.
Attempted murder carries a minimum 20-year sentence in Mississippi and can result in a life sentence.
The Clarksdale Police Department asks that anyone with information on any of these crimes to please contact the Investigative Division at the Clarksdale Police Department at 662-621-8151.
Callers can also text information to the City of Clarksdale information number at 662-645-INFO (4636).
