‘He Put a Pillow Over Her Head and Shot Her’: Two Young Children Shot to Death Following Hostage Situation in Mississippi Apartment; Suspect Arrested

A 25-year-old man in Mississippi has been arrested for allegedly capturing and killing two younger kids, then holding a 3rd baby at gunpoint. Marquez Griffin was taken into custody on Monday following a standoff with sheriff’s deputies and charged with two counts of homicide and two rely of aggravated assault within the deaths of the 2 youngsters, recognized as a 1-year-old lady and a 9-year-old boy, authorities introduced.

In line with a press launch from the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Workplace, a person at roughly 2 a.m. on Monday referred to as 911 and reported {that a} baby had simply been shot on the Summit Backyard Residences, a housing complicated positioned within the 300 block of Coldwater River Street in Jonestown.

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy residing in Jonestown overheard the decision for deputies exit over the radio and “instantly” responded to the scene, the workplace stated. Upon arriving on the deal with, the off-duty deputy met up with a number of on-duty deputies, and the group made contact with the suspect, later recognized as Griffin.

Deputies say that after they initially made contact with Griffin, he was “holding a toddler at gunpoint.”

Fortunately, deputies “have been capable of discuss the topic into dropping his weapon and get the kid to security” earlier than detaining Griffin and putting him underneath arrest. Nevertheless, after taking Griffin into custody, authorities searched the residence and found the 2 younger kids, each of whom had sustained gunshot wounds previous to the arrival of regulation enforcement.

One of many victims was pronounced useless on the scene whereas the opposite sufferer was rushed to an emergency room at a close-by hospital. Sadly, the younger sufferer was pronounced useless shortly after arriving on the medical facility.

Whereas authorities didn’t launch any details about the victims aside from their ages, it was the 1-year-old lady, who was recognized by her household as Averi Jones, who was pronounced useless after being transported to the hospital, in accordance with a report from Memphis, Tennessee CBS affiliate WREG-TV.

Deputies transported Griffin to the Coahoma County Grownup Detention Middle the place he at present stays in holding.

In line with authorities, Griffin was initially from the Coahoma County space. He had been residing within the Arlington, Texas space for a while and solely just lately moved again to Mississippi.

Investigators haven’t launched any info concerning a potential motive for the alleged murders.

Averi’s grandmother, Melrose Haile, reportedly spoke to WREG about her tragic loss and offered further allegations concerning the baby’s loss of life

“All I do know is my grandbaby Averi Jones is gone and I simply need everybody to know that Averi Child was a candy child. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve this in any respect,” Melrose Haile informed the station. “Her mother informed me she was asleep and he put a pillow over her head and shot her in her head.”

Haile additionally reportedly stated that Griffin was associates with Averi’s mom and famous that there have been a number of different kids within the residence on the time of the capturing.

“She informed me they have been associates and the way may a pal do that to you?” Haile reportedly added.

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