STARKVILLE — The Starkville Police Department is investigating a daylight shooting outside Louisville Street Apartments that killed 27-year-old Tyrell Deshon Gillespie, of 1447 Blair Road, Wednesday.
SPD and Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt both confirmed the victim’s identity shortly after the shooting was reported at 2:24 p.m. A SPD press release stated Gillespie died from multiple gunshot wounds.
A source close to the investigation said that one person had turned himself in in connection with the shooting Wednesday evening and another suspect is still at large.
Residents and onlookers gathered near the apartment complex said officers drew their weapons when they arrived on scene, and law enforcement agents were seen wearing flak jackets and carrying assault rifles shortly after the shooting occurred.
Investigators revealed few details about the incident Wednesday.
Family and friends were seen crying and hugging each other just beyond the yellow police tape that secured the crime scene, and screams could be heard coming from the first apartment building throughout the investigation.
Starkville School District officials confirmed Emerson Family School’s nearby campus was locked down shortly after the incident.
In 2009, nine people, including six children, died after a fire tore through one of the apartment complex’s units.
Dispatch reporter Sarah Fowler contributed to this report.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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 38 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 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
