Mississippi officials said a pastor Anthony Watts was killed while trying to provide aid to a man, believed to be an escaped detainee, who had wrecked a stolen motorcycle in Jackson.
What happened to Pastor Anthony Watts?
Anthony Watts was shot and killed while trying to provide aid to a man. Around 7 o’clock on Monday, according to the Jackson Police Department, officers were called to “unknown trouble” along Interstate 55. A man was reportedly discovered face-up on the road by the police.
They said the man was identified as 61-year-old Anthony Watts. Investigators said Watts pulled over to help another man who appeared to have wrecked a motorcycle that he had stolen just moments before.
Watts was the head pastor of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church in D’Lo, Mississippi. Police said the suspect shot Watts several times before stealing his red Dodge Ram 1500 truck.
Suspect Dylan Arrington is on the lookout
The suspect, Dylan Arrington who killed Anthony Watts was escaped and lookout by an officials.
Investigators said the suspect, who fit the description of 22-year-old Dylan Arrington, shot Watts multiple times and stole his red Dodge Ram 1500. The vehicle had the Mississippi license plate SP14067 with a tan trim and a Cowboys sticker on the front and back of the vehicle.
Arrington is one of the detainees who escaped from the Hinds County Detention Center over the weekend.
Brown said the vehicle was last seen heading south on I-55 in Terry. Arrington is considered armed and dangerous, and warrants have been issued by JPD for his arrest.
What did the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office say?
Deputies are aware of a murder and carjacking that happened Monday night, according to leaders with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office. They claimed South Jackson was burglarized by a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 in maroon with a tan stripe and the Mississippi license plate SP14067.
As per the source from Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart, she confirmed that she had attended a homicide that had occurred on Monday evening on I-55 S. Frontage Road close to Old Byram Road in Jackson. Around 7:00 p.m., according to her, the shooting was reported.
The victim was identified as 61-year-old Anthony Watts, of Simpson County. The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office posted the following statement on its Facebook page about the homicide.
The Jackson Police Department is currently working on the investigation and there has not been any information publicly released by the agency to confirm any details surrounding the event. However, we are and have been in communication in an effort to attempt to gather more details to assist with the investigation and we’ve been in contact with our federal partners who are very actively and aggressively searching for the escapees. At this time, according to the information we’ve been given, a suspect has not been identified and no description of the suspect has been publicly released. There is speculation that one of the escapees could be possibly responsible for this incident being investigated by JPD but that can’t be confirmed due to the lack of information being provided at this time.
Social Media Response
Paula pepper posted
Anthony Watts:This is so sad and senseless. Praying for strength, comfort, and peace for Pastor Watts’ family, friends, and church members.
Maggie wade posted
Please pray for the family, friends, and congregation of Pastor Anthony Watts. Pastor Watts was shot and killed when he stopped to help a man who appeared to have wrecked a motorcycle. Watts was the head pastor of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church in D’Lo, Mississippi. #Prayers
Ruth Ann posted
We are praying for this precious family. He was just doing what he was called to do. Help those in need. Praying they catch the individual that did this before he hurts anyone else.
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