MARION COUNTY – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a woman was found shot Friday night on Highway 35 Bypass near Jones Lane.
Sheriff Berkley Hall said dispatchers received a call around 8:41 p.m. June 26 about a woman with gunshot wounds on Highway 35 Bypass in Marion County.
Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with the Columbia Police Department, AAA Ambulance Service and the Columbia Fire Department.
When units arrived, they found 32-year-old Jessica Ruby suffering from gunshot wounds. Officials said CPR and other lifesaving measures were performed before Ruby was taken to Marion General Hospital.
Ruby later died from her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
As a result of the investigation, 89-year-old Raymond Johnson, of Foxworth, was taken into custody later that night and charged with first-degree murder.
Johnson remains in custody at the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility. His bond was set at $1 million.
The sheriff’s office thanked the Columbia Police Department, Hattiesburg Police Department Crime Scene Unit, Marion County Coroner Jessie Graham and the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
