STARKVILLE — One of the victims of a double homicide in Starkville Wednesday was the nephew of Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn.
Justin Vaughn, 32, was shot to death outside an apartment complex off Henderson and Pilcher streets at about 5:30 p.m. The second victim, Earnest Perkins, 32, died Thursday afternoon at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, according to Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt.
Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard said at a press conference Friday that investigators have a lead on a suspect, but that law enforcement will not release further details at this time.
“We believe that we have a good understanding of what events took place, but we will release that at a later time after talking to witnesses and getting back our lab results,” Ballard said.
Investigators have not released further details on the shooting, including a motive or whether the victims and suspect knew each other.
Though Alderman Vaughn, who attended the press conference, did not say anything about Justin, he said he appreciates that city officials took such quick action after the shooting, most especially by putting a surveillance camera on Pilcher Street on Friday.
“It means so much to me that the mayor and board (of aldermen) are getting this camera up within days of this event happening,” he said.
Mayor Lynn Spruill said city officials will put up more cameras around the city and implement several other safety measures in response to the shooting. Ballard said police cannot be everywhere at all times, but technology like this has been proven to reduce crime. Over the past year in Starkville, he said, cameras have played a lead role in concluding investigations.
Spruill said she and the rest of the city officials are dedicated to creating a safe environment for Starkville residents.
“We’re trying to be proactive about issues that we have concerns about, and having gun violence in your community is extremely concerning,” she said. “When we had this activity on Wednesday, one of the things we looked at was how we affect change and how we make a difference in the policing structure of it and the way the city as a government can participate in making things better in a community.”
Alderman Vaughn added he’s thankful for Spruill and Ballard reacting quickly to ensure the safety of the neighborhood after a situation that was so personal to him.
“It will show other neighborhoods that have got violence going on, it will show them a difference, how quickly we can react to a situation like this,” Vaughn said. “This board, this mayor and this police department are not going to let them (Starkville residents) down. We are here for them, for their safety and their security and their welfare. Each and every last one of them.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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