The 19th murder in Coahoma County this year was reported Sunday night in Clarksdale.
Police were called to the 1400 block of Choctaw Street about 9:40 p.m. Oct. 27, after someone allegedly shot repeatedly at a group of people from a nearby alley. A man allegedly working on car brakes was killed after being struck in the head and arm.
Three other people – two men and a woman – were also hit in the shooting and transported to hospitals in Memphis for treatment. At least one of these victims was transported by helicopter to Memphis with more serious injuries.
Details of the shooting are sketchy and it is not known if more than one shooter was involved or what the motive was for the violence.
Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley said at Monday’s city board meeting police had several leads and the investigation was continuing. Police have not announced any arrests as of Wednesday night in this incident.
The victim, Howard Harris, 31, of Clarksdale was named by police at the person killed in this shooting.
Harris was the 19th homicide in the community, with 16 having been reported in Clarksdale since the first of the year and three in the county.
Authorities have arrested three people for these crimes, with two turning themselves in, and two people (one a 13-year-old juvenile) having been turned over to the Coahoma County Grand Jury.
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 in the 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.
• April 8, Patrick Clerk was found dead in the 100 block of Douglas Street the week before Juke Joint Festival. Police delayed naming the cause of death until an autopsy proved it was vehicular homicide. No arrest.
• 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.
• July 16, Dustin Patton, 41, was found shot in his truck near Friars Point Road and Highway 1. No arrest.
• July 28, Reshardo Gardner, shot in Coahoma north of Clarksdale. Tarrence Jones turned himself in to the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department and has been charged with First Degree Murder and Shooting into a Dwelling.
• Sept. 2, Dewayne Powell, 52, was shot on 400 block of North Ritchie Street about 10 p.m. and his vehicle ran off the road after he was shot numerous times.
• Sept. 20, Erntray Bailey, 37, was found murdered by police in the 700 block of Lincoln Street. No one has been arrested in this case.
• Sept. 30, Tyrese Holmes, 25, was shot in an alleged burglary of a home in the 800 block of Home Street. The shooter allegedly surprised Holmes inside the house, Holmes shot at the occupants and when they returned fire he was shot multiple times. This case has been turned over to the Coahoma County Grand Jury.
• Oct. 27, Howard Harris, 31, was shot while working on an automobile in the 1400 block of Choctaw Street. Three other people were also injured by gunfire. No arrest for this crime.
Clarksdale PD currently has three 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.
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s office can be reached at 662-351-0594. Tips can be made anonymously.
