2017 Mississippi shootings

On May 27, 2017, eight people were killed in a spree killing that took place in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The perpetrator, Willie Cory Godbolt, sustained an injury to his arm in a shootout with victim Ferral Burage and was subsequently arrested.[1]

2017 Mississippi shootings
Lincoln County
Lincoln County (Mississippi)
Lincoln County
Lincoln County (the United States)
LocationLincoln County, Mississippi, U.S.
DateMay 27, 2017 (2017-05-27)
11:30 p.m. (CDT)
Attack type
Spree shooting
Weapons
Deaths8
Injured1 (the perpetrator)
PerpetratorWillie Cory Godbolt

Shootings

The shootings began at around 11:30 p.m. at a house in Bogue Chitto. Three women and 36-year-old police officer William Durr were shot dead at that house.[2] Two boys were found shot to death at a house in Brookhaven and an adult male and female were found shot to death at another house. The perpetrator, 35-year-old Cory Godbolt, was shot and wounded by police and taken to hospital for treatment. While being arrested Godbolt told a reporter that he had intended to commit suicide by cop and that he deserved to die for his actions. Godbolt's wife and their children were unharmed in the incident.[3]

The victims were Deputy William Durr, Barbara Mitchell, Brenda May, Toccara May, Austin Edwards, Jordan Blackwell, Ferral Burrage, and Sheila Burrage.

Perpetrator

The perpetrator of the shootings, Willie Cory Godbolt, has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2005 that includes arrests for armed robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, driving with a suspended license and disorderly conduct. He was most recently arrested in 2016 for assault.[4]

External video
Exclusive: Suspect confesses to C-L reporter; 8 dead, including deputy

Godbolt stated to reporter Therese Apel from The Clarion-Ledger who interviewed him during his arrest, that he had gone to the Bogue Chitto house to talk with his estranged wife, her mother and stepfather about taking his children back home and that one of them called the police, ultimately leading to the shooting. Apel's video also documents him appearing to tell authorities where to find Sheila Burrage's body, as well as saying that he would tell police where all the victims were if they would get a deputy off his back.[3] Godbolt's trial began February 15, 2020.[5] On February 25, 2020, Godbolt was convicted in the shootings.[6] On February 27, 2020, Godbolt was sentenced to death.[7]

References
  1. "AP: Eight People Including Sheriff's Deputy Killed In Mississippi". Newson6.com. May 28, 2017.
  2. Edinger, Marie (May 28, 2017). "Accused Lincoln County shooter denied bond in initial court appearance". LINCOLN COUNTY, MS: Raycom Media. Mississippi News Now. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  3. Sterling, Joe. "Sheriff's deputy, 7 others killed in Mississippi shootings". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  4. Daily Leader Staff (May 28, 2017). "Suspect in weekend shootings has long criminal history | Daily Leader". www.dailyleader.com. The Daily Leader. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  5. "Jury for capital murder trial includes 11 women, one man". www.dailyleader.com. The Daily Leader. February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. "Godbolt, accused of killing 8, found guilty on all counts". Clarion Ledger. February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  7. "Godbolt, who killed 8 and blamed the devil for his actions, sentenced to death". Clarion Ledger. February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.


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