LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A Toomsuba man was arrested early Christmas morning in connection with a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve in Lauderdale County.
At 7:10 p.m. on December 24, 2024, the Lauderdale County E-911 center received a report of three people shot at a residence in the 9500 block of Northeast Cole Road. Deputies and Metro Ambulance responded to the scene, where they found one female victim suffering from a gunshot wound. She was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital. A second victim had already left the area in a private vehicle and was taken to the hospital by car. The third victim, a male, was found nonresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene. The Lauderdale County Coroner, Stella McMahan, was notified.
The suspect had fled the scene before deputies arrived, prompting an immediate search for both the individual and the suspect vehicle. At approximately 9:30 p.m., deputies located the suspect vehicle in the 7000 block of Welch Road. The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Joseph Spinks, was found at a nearby residence and taken into custody.
Investigators processed the crime scene on Northeast Cole Road and later moved to the residence on Welch Road. After further investigation, they obtained and executed a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle and residence on Welch Road.
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on December 25, Spinks was charged with murder and booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Facility. He remains in custody without bond.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the incident, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Image: JOSEPH SPINKS, 50, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department
Arrest Information:
- Name: Joseph Spinks
- Age: 50
- Race: Black
- Address: Toomsuba, MS
- Charge: Murder
- Bond: $0
- Booking Number: 1098184
- Booking Date: December 25, 2024, 3:49 a.m.
- Arresting Agency: Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department
