A Clarksdale man has been arrested and charged with the murder of another man this week on Ritchie Street.
Police were called to the 600 block of Ritchie Street at about 8:40 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, by someone saying a man had been shot and was unresponsive.
Officers responding to the scene found a black male inside the apartment and police reports said he was dead when officers arrived.
The Clarksdale Police Department, the Coahoma County Sheriff Department, The Coahoma County Coroner, Pafford Ambulance Service and the Clarksdale Fire Department responded to the incident.
Police reports said investigators developed a young, black male as a suspect and arrested Christopher Johnson Jr., 21, of Clarksdale, on Tuesday, Feb. 1, for the alleged murder of Jarquis Ragland, 24, also of Clarksdale.
The Clarksdale Police Department announced the arrest at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Johnson was placed in the Coahoma County Jail and police reports said he was formally charged with murder in connection with Ragland’s death. Bond was set at $100,000 at Johnson’s appearance in court.
Ragland was Clarksdale’s first homicide of the year.
Clarksdale has averaged right at a dozen homicides a year for the past five years according to data on the FBI national homicide data base, or roughly one murder a month.
No motive was given for the shooting, the type of weapon used or if it was recovered by authorities. Police reports also did not give the name of the court or judge setting the bond.
Clarksdale Assistant Chief Norman Starks has asked anyone with information about this incident to call the Clarksdale Police Department at 621-8156, or simply dial 911. Residents can also call the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Department at 624-2411. All calls remain anonymous.
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.
