2017 Mississippi shootings

Mass shooting in Lincoln County, Mississippi

Lincoln County

Lincoln County (Mississippi)

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Lincoln County

Lincoln County (the United States)

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LocationLincoln County, Mississippi, U.S.DateMay 27, 2017 (2017-05-27)
11:30 p.m. (CDT)

Attack type

Spree shooting and mass shootingWeaponsPistolDeaths8Injured1 (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

The shootings began at around 11:30 p.m. at a house in Bogue Chitto. Three women and 36-year-old police officer William Durr were shot dead at that house.^[2] Two boys were found shot to death at a house in Brookhaven and an adult male and female were found shot to death at another house. 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 in the incident.^[3]

The victims were Deputy William Durr, Barbara Mitchell, Brenda May, Toccara May, Austin Edwards, Jordan Blackwell, Ferral Burrage, and Sheila Burrage.

Perpetrator

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. He was most recently arrested in 2016 for assault.^[4]

External videos
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.^[3] Godbolt's trial started on February 15, 2020.^[5] On February 25, 2020, he was convicted of multiple counts of capital murder for the shootings.^[6] Two days later, Godbolt was sentenced to death. Godbolt is currently confined at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County.^[7]

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

References

^ Silva, Daniella (May 28, 2017). "Eight people, including sheriff's deputy, fatally shot in Mississippi". NBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
^ Inman, Willie James (May 30, 2017). "Mississippi shooting spree suspect denied bond during initial court appearance". Fox News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
^ ^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.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ "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.
^ (Advocacy Group), Willie C. Godbolt (February 27, 2020). ""From Darkness to Redemption: Godbolt, Who Once Blamed the Devil for Killing 8, Faces Justice and Finds Hope"". williecgodboltadvocacygroup.godaddysites.com. Clarion Ledger. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
^ "Mississippi Supreme Court affirms a death row inmate's convictions in the killings of 8 people". ABC News. March 8, 2024.

External links

Cory Godbolt articles from The Daily Leader
See the uncut footage from the arrest of alleged spree killer Cory Godbolt from The Clarion-Ledger
Fallen deputy's legacy remains one of joy, love from The Clarion-Ledger
Teen died a hero saving cousin during shooting spree from The Clarion-Ledger

Mass shootings in the United States in the 2010s

2010