The Clarksdale Police Department in investigating its fourth homicide this year and is asking for information from the community to help solve this crime.
Police initially received calls from the 200 block of Seventh Street saying shots had been fired and were later dispatched to the Clarksdale hospital emergency room on a report of a gunshot victim being treated there.
Police found Antwann Johnson, 36, of Clarksdale, had been shot several times with a handgun and had been taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Johnson later died of his wounds.
Police Chief Robbie Linley said police continue to investigate this crime and are developing suspects.
The motive for the shooting was not given.
This was the second murder in Clarksdale in less than a month.
Police were called to a report of shots fired on Tallahatchie Street on Tuesday, Aug. 10 and found Jaylin Davis, 21, of Clarksdale, had been shot multiple times and was dead.
No arrests have been reported by the Clarksdale Police Department in conjunction with this incident.
Details released by the police are limited as the investigation into Davis’ death also continues and police are also asking for the community to help them solve this crime.
Clarksdale Assistant Chief Norman Starks has asked anyone with information about this incident to call the Clarksdale Police Department at 621-8156, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or simply dial 911. All calls remain anonymous and cash is paid to those providing information that leads to solving a crime.
This is the fourth murder in Clarksdale this year and the ninth in Coahoma County.
Coahoma homicides
Murders over the past month have not just been confined to Clarksdale.
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department was called to Coahoma at 9:51 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, on a report of a shooting where four people had been hit by gunfire.
When officers arrived on the scene they found Regina Smith-Hopkins had died of her wounds. Three others had been transported to Delta Health Clarksdale Hospital emergency room with their injuries.
A 14-year old, Zymarious Smith, cousin of Regina, died at the hospital. A third shooting victim was listed in critical condition and the fourth will apparently recover.
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department did not release the names, ages or relationships to others of the two other victims in the shooting.
The Smiths were apparently visiting with neighbors who had recently attended a family funeral. There were about 20 people at the gathering when the shooting occurred.
At this point it is believed some of the suspects have fled the state and others from Coahoma County may be involved in this shooting.
The Sheriff’s Department has not released details of the vehicle that was used, how many weapons were used or the number of shots fired.
No motive or possible reason for the shooting has been given by the Sheriff’s Department.
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department has arrested three local men in connection to the Coahoma shooting
Jerry Seamster, 30, of Clarksdale, D’Amonte Abrams, 23, of Friars Point and DeAngelo Abrams, 24, also of Friars Point, were formally charged with two counts of murder each, according to a press release issued by the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department. Seamster and D’Amonte Abrams had bond set at $1 million and DeAngelo Abrams has his bond set at $950,000. All three are currently in the Coahoma County Jail.
Anyone with details about this shooting is asked to call the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department at 662-624-3085 ext. 178.
2021 homicide history
Authorities were called to a double homicide that occurred in East Park subdivision off Robinson Road in March when a car was shot into, hitting two Clarksdale men, with one dying in the car and the other taken to Northwest Regional Hospital in Clarksdale where he died.
The Sheriff’s Department arrested Albert Thomas, 32, and Trentavius Thomas, 22, both of Lyon in connection with this shooting.
Clarksdale’s first homicide of 2021 was reported about 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 when police were called to a stabbing in the 300 block of Madison Avenue.
Police investigating the incident have said it began as a domestic disturbance between James Copeland and Jerry Copeland. Police said Jerry Copeland was stabbed twice in the chest.
James Copeland was arrested on charges of manslaughter by Clarksdale Police in this incident.
Clarksdale’s second homicide this year occurred about 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, with police called to the 800 block of Cuyahoga Street on what police reports said was a medical call.
Upon further investigation, police said this incident also appeared to have started as a domestic disturbance and grew into a homicide.
Police reports said those at the house heard Troy Sample and Shyrick Hardmon arguing and then fighting. Police said Sample was found in a back room on the floor and apparently had been strangled.
Police took Hardmon into custody and later filed charges of manslaughter against Hardmon.
Clarksdale reported six homicides in 2020, down from the 12 reported in 2018. Clarksdale reported only two murders in 2019 after the community, police and churches addressed the issue in neighborhoods hit by the violence the previous year.
