A man is in custody after police say he shot another man in the head over an illegal dice game.
Over the weekend, officers from the Pearl Police Department were called to a shooting incident at the George Kersh Apartments. A 23-year-old man was shot in the head at that scene, police said.
Five investigators were quickly sent to both the scene and the local hospital to secure evidence and gather witness statements. Rankin County deputies managed crowd control on the scene.
During the investigation, officials uncovered evidence hinting at illegal gambling activities taking place at the scene, which they say adds further complexity to the case. The victim was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where he is in stable condition.
Pearl Police Chief Nick McLendon said investigators identified a suspect within hours of the shooting. Law enforcement officers were able to arrest Ashton Lee Parker of Brandon without incident. Parker now faces charges of attempted murder and is currently housed at the Rankin County Detention Center with no bond, pending his initial appearance before Judge Richard Redfern.
“The Pearl Police Department remains deeply committed to preserving the safety and peace of our community,” McLendon said in a statement. “We stand resolute against any form of violent behavior and pledge that every available resource will be mobilized to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. We extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated men and women whose timely actions and unwavering professionalism have been instrumental in swiftly resolving this case.”
