***UPDATE #2 ***
Mike (Mike Mike) Tillman has just been taken into custody at the Shell Station in Quitman.
***UPDATE #1 ***
Authorities responded to a call from Watkins Hospital around 2:30 this morning involving someone with an apparent gunshot wound.
“Around 2:30 this morning, officers received a call to Watkins Hospital Emergency Room that reported an apparent gunshot wound. Officers responded to the emergency room,” explained Sheriff Todd Kemp. “The individual was there and was brought in and had a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. Hospital authorities did everything they could to preserve the life of this individual, but he succumbed to his injuries.”
Law enforcement officers immediately began conducting an investigation on the fatal shooting, which took place at an apartment complex just off Highway 513.
“The investigation kicked off at that point. It was found that this happened right off 513 between Quitman and Stonewall,” continued Kemp. “It is believed two individuals were in an altercation there. They had what we think would be a fist fight, and it escalated into a shot being fired. Roderick McCarty is the deceased.”
Authorities have already identified a suspect in the shooting and are trying to locate and apprehend him.
“Little Mike ‘Mike Mike’ Tillman is our suspect in this case,” informed Kemp. “We do believe they’ve been acquaintances for a long time. They went to school together. They’re both about the same age. I don’t know what caused the altercation between the two. That’s still under investigation at this time. We are actively pursuing Mr. Tillman. Warrants have been signed for first degree murder on Mr. Tillman. He has several family members as well as contacts in the East Mississippi area. We do believe he may have an out of state contact, but we’re not sure at this time. We are pursuing it, and investigators are working on it at this time.”
Anyone who may know the whereabouts of “Mike Mike” Tillman are asked to contact the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department at 601-776-5252 or Clarke County 911 Dispatch at 601-776-1385.
***BREAKING NEWS***
A fatal shooting occurred in Clarke County early this morning. Authorities have been diligently investigating the case throughout the night and morning hours.
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Department is currently searching for Michael “Mike Mike” Tillman for first degree murder. Tillman is considered armed and dangerous and is known to frequent the Meridian area. If you know of his whereabouts, please contact this Sheriff’s Department at 601-776-1385.
More information will be provided as we receive it.
