Law enforcement agents are working to track down two suspects allegedly connected to last week’s drive-by shootings after a second person was arrested Wednesday.
Multiple shots rang out at two different crime scenes Oct. 14. The first shooting occurred at 109 Tabor St., and the second followed at 1040 Montgomery St.
No injuries were reported from either incident.
A subsequent police chase led officers to an area near Haven 12 apartment complex, near Mississippi State University, where a number of suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled the scene.
That activity prompted the university to issue Maroon Alerts warning students and faculty about the situation.
No shots were fired near the apartment complex.
Nia Kamyra Smith, 19, was immediately arrested for suspicion of drive-by shooting, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
SPD also charged Derek Javonte Hardnett, aka Magic, 21, of Starkville, with possession of a stolen firearm and drive-by shooting after he turned himself in to authorities Wednesday.
Warrants were also issued for Corey Quinn, aka Smooth, 22, of Woodland, for possession of a stolen firearm and the drive-by shooting occurring at Tabor Street.
SPD identified a new suspect Wednesday — Christopher Lockhart, 22, of 109 Locksley Way Apt. 4, Starkville — who is wanted for possession of a stolen firearm and two counts of drive-by shooting.
Lockhart was previously found in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana by Starkville police officers in September and charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and misdemeanor marijuana possession.
Citing the nature of the ongoing investigation, Starkville Police Department representatives have released few details about the incident. Det. William Durr, however, said the shootings could be tied to weapon trafficking and gang activity.
“These incidents were very reckless and intentional,” Durr said.
The U.S. Marshal Service and Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of Smith, SPD announced Wednesday.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the incident can call SPD at 662-323-4131 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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