An attempted arson report and two aggravated assault incidents where three people were shot were reported by Clarksdale Police Friday morning.
Police reports said officers were called to the 500 block of Bames Street – there is no Bames Street in Clarksdale and it is believed to be James Street – after a black male was shot in the leg. Police reports said the victim said he didn’t know who might have shot at him as he was walking to the residence on that street.
Police said the man shot was in stable condition and the case is under investigation.
Authorities were called call to the 400 block of Desoto Avenue after two black males were shot at that location.
Police reports said those men said they didn’t know who shot them.
One of the men was shot in the stomach and the other in the right leg.
Police did not report an arrest in this shooting, but did say it is under investigation.
Aggravated assault is defined as injury or threat to a person to make them fear for their life or assault with a weapon. It is punishable by up to 20-years in prison and a $10,000 fine. An adult who assaults a juvenile can find the penalty enhanced to 30-years in prison.
Aggravated assault is a felony and shooting into a home can also be deemed a felony if prosecutors and judges wish to pursue it.
Arson
Police and firefighters were called to the 500 block of Mississippi Street on the arson call after smoke was seen coming from the building.
Police and firefighters said the owner reported it as arson but was able to extinguish the fire by the time authorities arrived. No injuries were reported and the structure was not damaged.
Shots Fired
The Clarksdale Police Department has responded to the following calls of shots fired:
• 400 block of Mississippi Street- nothing found
• 800 block of Cherry Street- nothing found
• 500 block of McKinley Street- nothing found
• 400 block of Garfield Street - nothing found
• 500 block of Catalpa Street- nothing found
• 800 block of Garfield Street- nothing found
Police are asking residents to call them immediately when they hear shots fired in their neighborhood, give a location of where the shot came from and police will respond to the scene and check for evidence.
Auto Theft
Police reported a red 2005 Ford Explorer stolen from a yard in the 1400 block of Cheyenne Street.
The vehicle was not reported as recovered as of Friday morning.
Clarksdale has seen a number of auto thefts over the past month with juvenile arrested for some of those incidents but not prosecuted according to victims of the theft.
Police remind people to never leave the keys in a vehicle and not to leave a vehicle running unattended when they go into a business, store, church or even their home.
A person convicted of grand larceny faces the following felony penalties:
- If the property is valued at $1,000 or more but less than $5,000, the offender faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The penalty increases to a ten-year felony sentence if the property is stolen from a place of worship.
- If the property is valued at $5,000 or more but less than $25,000, the offender faces a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
- If the property is valued at $25,000 or more, the offender faces a 20-year maximum prison sentence and a fine of $10,000.
Burglary
Police have reported an burglary in the 600 block of Florida Street.
In that incident, police said the victim said their home was burglarized and a 55-inch television and a window air conditioner were taken from the residence
House shot
Police have reported a house shot in the 400 block of Mississippi Street.
Reports said the house was shot into in the evening and no one was hurt or injured from the shooting. Police are still investigating this incident
