Preliminary results indicate an Oktibbeha County resident died as the result of a gunshot wound on the July 4, Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Brett Watson confirmed Wednesday.
Will Allen Turner, 51, of Walter Bell Road, was found deceased in his driveway about 9 a.m. Monday.
Because of scarce details surrounding the incident, OCSD began its inquiry into Turner’s death as a homicide investigation.
Now, Watson said, the department suspects Turner was the victim of a robbery.
Watson did not release any further details on the preliminary autopsy results, including how many times and where Turner was shot.
Investigators began interviewing family members and neighbors Monday to establish a timeline of events. Chief Deputy Chadd Garnett said the state crime lab also analyzed a car in the driveway Tuesday.
Turner was a long-serving member of the Starkville Sanitation and Environmental Services Department.
On Tuesday, Mayor Parker Wiseman acknowledged his loss and said the city was grateful for his service.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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