A former firefighter is behind bars after deputies say he forced his way into a home, caused damage, and later fired shots before being taken into custody following a brief standoff.
According to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded around 11:32 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, to the Alpine Mobile Home Park near the Reservoir for a reported home invasion.
Investigators say the homeowner reported being awakened by Charles Beretta Lovorn Jr. banging on her front door. When she refused to let him in, Lovorn allegedly broke a window in the door, reached inside, and unlocked it. Once inside, deputies say Lovorn got into a verbal altercation with the victim and allegedly began breaking multiple items in the living room.
At one point, Lovorn allegedly left the home, retrieved a 9mm handgun, and is accused of firing two rounds before fleeing the scene.
While investigators processed evidence and interviewed the victim, deputies canvassed the area for Lovorn’s vehicle and issued a BOLO to other Rankin County agencies. Around 1:03 a.m., deputies found his vehicle at Lakeshore Pointe Apartments near Spillway Road.
Authorities say they believed Lovorn was inside one of the apartments. When deputies attempted contact, they said Lovorn refused to come out of the apartment and a short standoff ensued. Negotiators engaged with him while deputies secured arrest and search warrants. A short time later, Lovorn surrendered without further incident.
He was arrested and charged with burglary, malicious mischief, and discharging a firearm within a platted subdivision (a Rankin County ordinance violation).
According to the Ridgeland Fire Department, and Lovorn’s Facebook page, he previously worked as a firefighter with the Ridgeland Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, and the Reservoir Fire Department.
Lovorn was booked into the Rankin County Detention Center, where he remains on a $170,000 bond.
