WEST POINT — An argument between two coworkers at the Yokohama Tire Manufacturing plant Wednesday morning escalated to fatal violence, according to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott.
Willie Swain Jr., 41, and Javarest Gray, 28, began arguing in the parking lot of the Yokohama campus. Swain allegedly shot Gray shortly after 7 a.m. and fled the scene.
Authorities arrived within 10 minutes of the 911 call, Scott said, and a deputy performed CPR on Gray while waiting for the ambulance.
Gray was taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in West Point, where he was pronounced dead at about 8:30 a.m.
Deputies are seeking Swain, who was still at large at press time, as a person of interest, Scott said. There is no warrant for his arrest at this time.
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi responded to Gray’s death in a press release Wednesday afternoon, saying that the company is mourning the loss of its employee.
“YTMM is shocked and saddened by this senseless act of violence,” said Philip Calhoun, YTMM’s plant manager/vice president of manufacturing. “YTMM takes the safety and health of its employees seriously and we ask that you keep the deceased and their family in your thoughts as we are all mourning this tragedy. Production has ceased for the time being and grief counselors have been made available to all YTMM team members.”
Gray was the stepson of Starkville Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough.
“He was a great young man who had dreams. He fulfilled several of his dreams at 28,” Yarbrough wrote in a text to The Dispatch. “We are devastated by this senseless loss. We believe that he is in heaven as we speak. We are praying for peace and swift justice.”
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill also offered her condolences to Yarbrough and his family.
“We are very concerned and distressed that his family would find themselves going through such a tragedy,” Spruill said. “We will continue to keep our thoughts and our best wishes with Chief Yarbrough and his family.”
Anyone with any information on Swain’s whereabouts can contact Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 494-2896 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151.
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