OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — A suspect is behind bars for a fatal shooting Friday morning in the Sunset subdivision west of Starkville.
Austin Hudson, 22, is charged with first-degree murder.
Deputies responded to a shots-fired call at about 8:10 a.m. to a residence on Bennett Drive, according to an Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office press release. When they arrived, they learned a male victim had been taken to OCH Regional Medical Center by private vehicle.
The victim, identified as Jequarius M. Spencer, 19, also of Starkville, died at the emergency room, Coroner Michael Hunt told The Dispatch.
Investigators arrested Hudson later Friday, the press release said.
OCSO Capt. Brett Watson said neither the suspect nor victim lived at the Bennett Drive residence. He said deputies are still trying to determine how they knew each other.
“We’re not quite ready to speak to motive,” Watson told The Dispatch.
Hudson is being held in Oktibbeha County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance for the charge.
The press release said Starkville Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the case.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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