Clarksdale police are once again investigating new murders as the city notched its 10th and 11th homicides of 2024 over the July 4 Holiday weekend.
While the homicides occurred on the same day – Friday, July 5 – Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley told the City Board of Mayor and Commissioners on Monday, he does not think the two are related.
Linley also said off-duty officers were called in immediately to help with the investigation and patrol in an effort to be more visible and quell any further violence.
The first homicide saw police attempt to stop a speeding vehicle about 2:10 a.m., Friday, with the car driving to Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center’s emergency room and three people got out with gunshot wounds.
The three were identified at Quentin Booker, 29, Jamarius Stacker, 28, and Gary Martin, 40, who told officers they were sitting in their car in the 300 block of Madison when a red car drove by and fired into their vehicle.
Police reports said a fourth victim, Derrick Williams, 33, was removed from the car and left at the scene. A citizen discovered Williams unresponsive in the street and drove him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigators were able to determine an argument between the shooter and victims occurred at a local club.
The second homicide was reported about 9:15 p.m., Friday with officers responding to the 500 block of Page Street.
Police found Jeremy White, 36, had been shot numerous times. White was pronounced dead at the scene by Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith.
“Investigators are currently investigating both shootings (and) no witnesses have come forward at this time,” Police said in a statement. “A motive for the death of White has not been determined.”
No arrests have been announced by police in either homicide as of Wednesday.
Linley told the city board the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in and are assisting in several of the city’s most recent homicides.
2024 Homicides
Clarksdale’s and Coahoma County homicides since the first of the year are:
• Dec. 31, Demetris Curtis, 36, shot at Seventh and Leflore in Clarksdale. No arrest.
• Jan. 1, Deshara Smith, 31, shot in 500 block of Lynn Street. Marquel Miles turned himself in and was charged with murder.
• Feb. 9, Jameion Chatman, 17, shot near Spruce and Choctaw and dropped off at the hospital. No arrest.
• Feb. 19, an unnamed 15-year-old, shot 800 block of Choctaw Street. No arrest.
• Feb. 22, Aldrict Hill, Jr., 25, shot, 2100 block of Center Street. 17-year-old unnamed juvenile arrested.
• March 15, a 13-year-old juvenile, shot by another 13-year-old unnamed juvenile in at 449 Amber Cove in Eastgate Subdivision in Coahoma County. The case has been turned over to the Coahoma County Grand Jury.
• March 29, Qi “Paul” Bowen, 72, shot in an armed robbery at D&T Super Market on South State Street. No arrest has been made in this capital murder case.
• May 17, unnamed 16-year-old, shot in 200 block of Catalpa Street, died May 25. No arrest.
• May 25, Larry Johnson, 41, shot at East Gate Apartments. No arrest.
• June 7, Artis ‘Ski’ Ferguson, shot on James Washington Street, Friars Point. No arrest.
• July 5, Derrick Williams, 33, shot on Madison Street. No arrest. Three others also shot and taken to local emergency room after an argument started at local club.
• July 5, Jeremy White, 36, shot on Page Street. No arrest.
Clarksdale PD currently has two investigators assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division and has 23 sworn officers on its roster.
Anyone with information about these homicides, or any felony in Clarksdale, is asked to call police at 662-621-8154, police dispatchers at 662-621-8151, or simply dial 911.
Clarksdale does not have a Crimestopper’s program, but is seeking volunteers to serve on this program that does stop crime in your neighborhood. Please call City Hall at 662-621-8100 and ask for details of helping to create a Crimestopper's program for Clarksdale. Crime Stoppers USA can be reached at 1-800-222-8477
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s office can be reached at 662-351-0594. Tips can be made anonymously.
Clarksdale Police began patrolling high-crime area in early March and conducting traffic stops when applicable. The department has said it has reached out to multiple state and federal agencies for assistance in combating violent crime in the community.
The city also implemented an early summer curfew to get kids off the street and fine parents whose child repeated violates the city’s curfew.
