Authorities have released the identity of the 16-year-old accused of being involved in the Tuesday drive-by shooting at the Greentree Apartments in East Columbus.
Ethan Hines faces charges of drive-by shooting and attempted murder, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said in a text to The Dispatch. Jacory Smart, 18, was also arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted murder.
LCSO deputies arrested the two suspects Tuesday. Hines’ bond has been set at $125,000, and Smart’s bond has been set at $100,000.
Hines is being charged as an adult in line with Mississippi Bill 2710, which allows juveniles accused of violent crimes involving a firearm to be prosecuted in circuit court rather than youth court. The law went into effect July 1.
Because Hines has been charged as an adult and bound over to circuit court, The Dispatch is identifying him under its policy of naming suspects charged as adults with felonies. LCSO omitted Hines’ identity and booking information from its initial press release, but the office released the information Thursday following a public records request.
Deputies responded at about 1 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a drive-by shooting at Greentree Apartments, from where two suspects had allegedly fled in a black Dodge Challenger immediately after the shooting.
No one was injured in the shooting, Hawkins said.
Using surveillance footage, witness interviews and forensic evidence collected at the scene – including 12 spent shell casings from an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle – detectives developed leads identifying Hines and Smart.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
