Clarksdale almost made it out of September without a homicide, but the community recorded its 16th murder Tuesday night, Sept. 24.
Clarksdale police received a 911 call of shots fired in the 700 block of Lincoln Street at approximately 7:50 p.m. and, when officers responded to the scene, they found a man dead from numerous gunshot wounds.
The man was identified as Erntray Bailey, 37, no hometown given.
Police did not give a motive for the shooting and no arrest has been announced by police.
This is the community’s 16th murder this year with 13 homicides occurring in Clarksdale and three in Coahoma County since January 1.
There have been three arrests in these homicides with two of the alleged shooters turning themselves in.
The city saw a shooting rampage earlier this year, until a Clarksdale Police officer was shot in broad daylight at a local convenience store following a confrontation at the business.
Since that August 2 shooting, the city and county has only seen two other homicides, with none in August. The Aug. 2 shooting was also followed by a curfew for juveniles that expired Aug. 31.
The community is urged to contact police if they
have any information about this homicide. Tips can be made anonymously.
2024 Homicides
Clarksdale 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 the 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.
• 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 the emergency room after an argument started at a 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. 24, Dewayne Powell, 52, was shot in the 400 block of North Ritchie Street about 10 p.m. and his vehicle ran off the road after he was shot numerous times.
Clarksdale PD currently has two investigators assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division and has 24 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.
