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2017 Mississippi shootings
Lincoln County is located in Mississippi
Lincoln County
Lincoln County
Lincoln County (Mississippi)
Lincoln County is located in the United States
Lincoln County
Lincoln County
Lincoln County (the United States)
LocationLincoln County, Mississippi, U.S.
DateMay 27, 2017 (2017-05-27)
11:30 p.m. (CDT)
Attack type
Spree shooting and mass shooting
Weapons
  • 2 .40 caliber handguns
  • 2 assault rifles
Deaths8
Injured1 (the perpetrator)
PerpetratorWillie Cory Godbolt

On May 27, 2017, eight people were fatally shot in a spree killing that took place in Lincoln County, Mississippi, United States. The perpetrator, Willie Cory Godbolt, sustained an injury to his arm in a shootout with victim Ferral Burage and Godbolt was subsequently arrested.[1]

Godbolt's shooting spree was the deadliest mass shooting in Mississippi's history.

Shootings

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The shootings began at around 11:30 p.m. at a house in Bogue Chitto. Deputy William Durr, a 36-year-old police officer, along with Barbara Mitchell, and Brenda and Toccara May were murdered at that house.[2][3] Godbolt then drove to a house in Brookhaven in which he murdered 18-year old Jordan Blackwell and 11-year old Austin Edwards.[4] A 15-year old survived by playing dead.[5] He then drove to another home and murdered Ferral and Sheila Burage.[6] Four weapons were found at the crime scenes by investigators – 2 .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handguns, and 2 assault rifles, a .300 Blackout and a Zastava Serbia. In court testimony the Blackout was described in court testimony only as “an AR-type gun”, the Zastava Serbia was described only as “an AK-type firearm.” One of the handguns found at a crime scene was owned by Burrage, not by Godbolt.[7][8]

The perpetrator, 35-year-old Cory Godbolt, was shot and wounded by police and taken to hospital for treatment. At the same time, being arrested, Godbolt told a reporter that he had intended to commit suicide by cop and deserved to die for his actions. Godbolt's wife and their children were unharmed.[9]

Perpetrator

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The perpetrator of the shootings, Willie Cory Godbolt (born May 1, 1982), then 35, has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2005, including arrests for armed robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, driving with a suspended license, and disorderly conduct.[10] He was most recently arrested in 2016 for assault.[11] Godbolt was described by a relative as having "episodes" before the shooting.[12]

External videos
video icon Exclusive: Suspect confesses to C-L reporter; 8 dead, including deputy

Godbolt stated to reporter Therese Apel from The Clarion-Ledger, who interviewed him during his arrest, that he had gone to the Bogue Chitto house to talk with his estranged wife, her mother, and stepfather about taking his children back home and that one of them called the police, ultimately leading to the shooting. Apel's video also documents him appearing to tell authorities where to find Sheila Burrage's body and saying that he would tell police where all the victims were if they would get a deputy off his back.[9]

Godbolt was formally indicted in March 2018.[13] His trial started on February 15, 2020.[14] On February 25, 2020, he was convicted of multiple counts of capital murder for the shootings.[15] Two days later, Godbolt was sentenced to death. Godbolt is currently confined at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County.[16]

On March 8, 2024, the Mississippi Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences and eight murder convictions meted out in Godbolt's case.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Silva, Daniella (May 28, 2017). "Eight people, including sheriff's deputy, fatally shot in Mississippi". NBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mississippi slaughter: A timeline of 8 killings by one man in a single night". The Washington Post. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Inman, Willie James (May 30, 2017). "Mississippi shooting spree suspect denied bond during initial court appearance". Fox News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  4. ^ "Teen died a hero, saved cousin during shooting spree". USA Today. May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "Teen "played dead" while cousin took bullets during Miss. shooting rampage". CBS. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  6. ^ "Deadly shooting spree: Man fought to the death to save his family". Clarion Ledger. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "WILLIE CORY GODBOLT v. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI (2024)". Caselaw.Findlaw.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "Photos: Godbolt murder trial". Clarion Ledger. February 17, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Sterling, Joe; Prior, Ryan (May 28, 2017). "Sheriff's deputy, 7 others killed in Mississippi shootings". CNN. Archived from the original on May 28, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  10. ^ "Man held in killing of 8 people often threatened violence". The Ledger. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Suspect in weekend shootings has long criminal history | Daily Leader". The Daily Leader. May 28, 2017. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  12. ^ "Family says suspect had 'episodes' before deadly Mississippi shooting rampage". ABC News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "Mississippi man indicted in shooting rampage that left eight people dead". USA Today. March 8, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Campbell, Donna (February 15, 2020). "Jury for capital murder trial includes 11 women, one man". The Daily Leader. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  15. ^ "Godbolt, accused of killing 8, found guilty on all counts". Clarion Ledger. February 25, 2020. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "Godbolt, who killed 8 and blamed the devil for his actions, sentenced to death". Clarion Ledger. February 27, 2020. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Mississippi Supreme Court affirms a death row inmate's convictions in the killings of 8 people". ABC News. March 8, 2024.
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