Shortly after midnight on June 16, 2024, E911 Dispatch received a distressing call from a frantic female who was crying and screaming for help. The woman repeatedly mentioned her address on “Carmel Church Road” before the line was disconnected. Adams County Sheriff said disturbing sounds could be heard in the background of the call.
E911 Dispatch dispatched Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the address. Around the same time, dispatch also received calls from Randrell Jones regarding the incident.
Randrell reported that an altercation was happening between his mother, Tawana Jones, and his stepfather, Calvin Carter.
He informed dispatch that Calvin had a gun, had taken Tawana from Carmel Church Road, and that he was attempting to follow them down Highway 61 South.
Randrell remained in contact with E911 Dispatch, providing updates that Calvin had taken Tawana down Shieldsboro Road. Moments later, E911 Dispatch advised responding deputies that multiple gunshots could be heard in the background of the call.
Within minutes, Adams County deputies arrived on the scene and requested EMS for a gunshot victim. Deputies secured the scene and called for investigators to respond. Randrell was detained for investigation while Calvin and Tawana were transported to Merit Health for treatment.
Adams County investigators arrived and began processing the scenes, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses. They learned that around midnight, Calvin had driven to Carmel Church Road where his estranged wife was staying.
Evidence indicated that Calvin parked his vehicle at a locked gate and climbed over the property’s fence. Shortly after, he returned to his vehicle with Tawana, again climbing over the fence due to the locked gate.
Witnesses stated that Calvin had forcibly entered the home, assaulted Tawana, and destroyed the inside of the home. He then forced Tawana to gather some possessions and leave with him.
Crime scene investigations at both locations corroborated the statements of Tawana, Randrell, and the witnesses. Sheriff Patten noted that the crime scene on Shieldsboro Road was in a remote, poorly lit area of southwest Adams County with few residences.
Sheriff Patten confirmed that Calvin Carter succumbed to his injuries while at Merit Health in Natchez. Tawana has three broken ribs, a ruptured ear drum, several stitches, and multiple bruises. She was released from Merit Health.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Patten said that all parties are cooperating with law enforcement.
