Suspects sought in holiday shootings

Published 9:15 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Brookhaven police are asking the public to come forward with information concerning two separate shootings in Brookhaven Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including one that injured a 14-year-old child.

Monday night just before 8 p.m., a suspect shot into a vehicle parked in a driveway on Mary Street. The teenager was injured in that shooting, but police have not released any information about the child’s condition.

Police Chief Kenneth Collins, in a written statement to The Daily Leader Wednesday afternoon, said the shooting could be tied to the Nov. 24, 2017, homicide of a Brookhaven man at the Oasis Club on South First and Martin streets. Seven other people were injured in that shooting.

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“This incident is believed to be connected to the 2017 Thanksgiving shooting at the Oasis Club, where Billy Thomas Jr. was killed,” he said in the release. “Justin Anderson, the suspect in the murder and aggravated assault of numerous persons in the club, has recently been released on bond, with the condition that he not be in Brookhaven or Lincoln County pending trial.”

Anderson surrendered to Brookhaven police Nov. 29, 2017. A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Anderson on one count of first-degree murder and six counts of aggravated assault.

Court records show he was released on $115,000 bond Oct. 26 this year. Records do not reflect a geographical condition that Anderson, a resident of Natchez, stay away from Lincoln County until his trial date, which has not been set.

Anderson’s attorney, Zach Jex, filed a motion for continuance Dec. 17 because he injured his knee at a trampoline park in Baton Rouge in November. Records do not show the request has been granted.

“We have been proactive in making sure Anderson is not in the area, after receiving numerous tips, Chief Kenneth Collins has contacted Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten in response to the possibility of Anderson in the area,” Collins said in the release. “If he is located in the area, we will work with the court system to have his bond revoked.”

A second shooting occurred Tuesday night and police are seeking the whereabouts of Kendrick Lamond Bryant, who is also known as “Rabbit.”

Collins said Bryant was arguing with a female who was sitting in a car at his residence on Crooked Lane and allegedly fired a round into the vehicle.

It is not known if the woman was injured.

According to BPD’s Facebook post, Bryant is charged with domestic violence, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, and Brookhaven Police Department will remain vigilant in the apprehension of those responsible,” he said in the release. “Any individuals seeking to take the law into their own hands, or helping others to elude capture of any suspect, will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

In another Facebook post, BPD released a photo of Kentrell Ellis Tucker and said he is wanted for questioning “in relation to a recent incident in which a vehicle was shot.”

It is not clear which shooting the Facebook post was referring to. Collins could not be reached by telephone for comment.

Anyone with information about either crime is asked to call Brookhaven Police Department at 601-833-2424 or CrimeStoppers at 601-823-0150. Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.