RANKIN COUNTY — Earlier this week, a Rankin County judge denied bond for the man accused in a road rage shooting near the Ross Barnett Reservoir, citing concerns for community safety after investigators said they found a flamethrower, weapons, and human remains during searches connected to the case.
During Walter Ainsworth’s initial court appearance, Judge David Morrow said a search of Ainsworth’s vehicle turned up a bulletproof vest, two gas masks, a pair of brass knuckles, three flares, a baton, a pair of handcuffs, and what was described as a flamethrower.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at Ainsworth’s home, where they found what the judge said were a human skull and a lower jawbone. Rankin County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Tyler Burnell said the jaw appeared to have detached from the skull that was found. He said there were also other human bones collected, but it’s reasonable to believe they all came from the same human.
Rankin County Coroner David Ruth confirmed the remains are legitimate human bones, and that they have been sent to the crime lab. He said the investigation is ongoing.
Ainsworth is charged with shooting into a woman’s vehicle during an alleged road rage incident on Oct. 27. The judge told Ainsworth it was “by the grace of God” that the woman was not killed, calling the defendant a “danger to the community.”
Burnell said the camper Ainsworth was staying in where the remains were found is in an unincorporated area of Rankin County between Flowood, Pearl, and Brandon.
The skull has been sent to the Mississippi State Crime Lab, where anthropologists are working on DNA and facial reconstruction to ascertain the identity, Burnell said. There are some teeth still attached to the skull, and at this point, the gender and race have not been determined.
“Mr. Ainsworth knows where the remains came from,” Burnell said.
Authorities are working with Ainsworth’s attorney to try to find out more about the bones.
Ruth said it is illegal to possess human remains unless you are in an area designated as a family cemetery. The area where the bones was found was not, to anyone’s knowledge, designated as such.
So far no one connected to the case has offered a reason why Ainsworth would legally have bones either, though.
Ainsworth’s record inside Rankin County includes traffic offenses, controlled substance charges, and DUI.
Ainsworth’s attorney asked that his client undergo a mental health evaluation while in custody. The judge agreed and said a counselor would meet with Ainsworth as part of the process.
Ainsworth will remain held without bond pending a formal hearing.
