Murder suspect still at large: Two shooting incidents considered related

Published 10:44 am Thursday, November 5, 2015

The suspect in Monday’s murder is still at large as investigations into Monday’s string of crimes continue.

Police Chief Bobby Bell said investigators are looking for suspect Cordarryl Bell, 24, of 510 East Congress St. Cordarryl Bell’s name was mentioned in relation to the shooting of Christopher Stringer, 39, at his residence on North Egypt Circle around 2:30 Monday, police said. Stringer was wounded in the leg. Chief Bell said when officers interviewed Stringer he stated he did not know who shot him.

The Brookhaven Police Department responded to a report of shots fired on East Independence Street around 4:30 p.m. Monday. Officers at that time said it was reported that shots had been fired into or at a house.

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At 4:45 p.m., the Brookhaven Police Department was dispatched to King’s Daughters Medical Center in reference to a person being shot. Aquarius Nelson, 26, of 905 East Independence St., was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at KDMC, according to police. The fatal shooting is alleged to have taken place on Walnut Street.

Chief Bell said Cordarryl Bell’s name was mentioned in reference to both shooting incidents.

The Brookhaven Fire Department responded to a house fire at 707 E. Independence St. at 8:15 p.m.Monday night. Chief Tony Weeks confirmed the house was the residence of Moses Bell Jr.  Police are working under the assumption that Moses Bell Jr. and Cordarryl Bell are related.

BPD, local narcotics and the State Fire Marshal are investigating the incidents.

“We don’t know [for sure] right now. It’s being treated that way because his name has been brought up in both situations. So we’re going to treat it as they are connected,” Bobby Bell said Tuesday night. “We’re going to have to look into all of it when the fire marshal gets done with his investigation — there’s a possibility that all three of them are tied together.”

He also said police believe there is a drug element involved. As of now there are no other suspects and while confirmation is lacking, Bell said they are considering the string of incidents as being connected.

“We’re looking for him if anyone has any idea where he is let us know,” the police chief said of Cordarryl Bell. “We’re treating it like it’s connected — and it may not be. You have to look at it from what you hear and then you have to take another angle. We’re looking at all angles.”

Both Stringer and Cordarryl Bell have past drug-related charges: Cordarryl Bell pleaded guilty to selling cocaine in 2009 and Stringer pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine in 2012. Nelson was indicted for aggravated assault in 2010.

Anyone with information on Cordarryl Bell’s whereabouts or the incidents Monday may confidentially report to Crimestoppers at 601-823-0150 or BPD at 601-833-2424.