UPDATE: 4 in custody as Gibson, Halls Ferry shooting becomes murder investigation after victim dies
Published 12:41 pm Friday, June 14, 2024
UPDATE: Jermiane “Bones” Johnson and Calbert “Calbo” Cosby were taken into custody just after noon Friday in Memphis. A fourth suspect, Wilmar Johnson, has also been arrested in Tyler, Texas. All four men have been charged with drive-by shooting and first degree murder.
A shooting investigation stemming from an incident earlier this month just outside the Vicksburg city limits has become a murder case after the victim died Thursday in an area hospital.
Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said 27-year-old Devonte Gary succumbed to injuries from gunshot wounds he suffered during a shooting Thursday, June 6, at the intersection of Gibson and Halls Ferry roads.
Pace said one suspect is already in custody following his arrest in Tyler, Texas, and two other suspects are wanted on charges of first degree murder.
Pace said 24-year-old Willie Johnson, of Warren County, was taken into custody in Texas after law enforcement approached him for suspicious behavior and became aware of his warrant in Warren County.
Two other Warren County men, 22-year-old Calbert “Calbo” Cosby, and 45-year-old Jermaine “Bones” Johnson, remain at large.
Pace said both wanted suspects are believed to be involved in not only the June 6 shooting, but also a number of other shootings that have occurred throughout Vicksburg and Warren County in recent weeks.
“We believe others are involved and these appeared to be targeted shootings,” Pace said. “These are not random acts of violence.”
As the investigation into the rash of shootings continues, Pace said any information from the public is important to law enforcement, adding calls can be made to Vicksburg Police Department at 601-636-2511, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 601-6361761 or anonymously to Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS. Pace said it is important to note that Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest.
Pace added that the scope of the ongoing investigation is wide, given multiple shootings have occurred across both the county and the city of Vicksburg.
“We have been working this case with Vicksburg Police Department and it has been a seamless effort,” Pace said. “I’m very proud of the relationship we have with the PD and this investigation is an example of that.”