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]
| 2017 Mississippi shootings | |
|---|---|
  Lincoln County Lincoln County (Mississippi)  Lincoln County Lincoln County (the United States) | |
| Location | Lincoln County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Date | May 27, 2017 11:30 p.m. (CDT) |
Attack type | Spree shooting and mass shooting |
| Weapons | Pistol |
| Deaths | 8 |
| Injured | 1 (the perpetrator) |
| Perpetrator | Willie Cory Godbolt |
Godbolt's shooting spree was the deadliest mass shooting in Mississippi's history.
Shootings edit
The shootings began at around 11:30 p.m. at a house in Bogue Chitto. Deputy William Durr, a 36-year-old police offier, along with Barbara Mitchell, and Brenda and Toccara May were murdered at that house.[2][3] Golbot 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] 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.[7]
Perpetrator edit
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.[8] He was most recently arrested in 2016 for assault.[9] Godbolt was described by a relative as having "episodes" before the shooting.[10]
| 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.[7]
Goldbolt was formally indicted in March 2018.[11] His trial started on February 15, 2020.[12] On February 25, 2020, he was convicted of multiple counts of capital murder for the shootings.[13] Two days later, Godbolt was sentenced to death. Godbolt is currently confined at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County.[14]
On 8 March 2024, the Mississippi Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences and eight murder convictions meted out in Godbolt's case.[15]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Silva, Daniella (May 28, 2017). "Eight people, including sheriff's deputy, fatally shot in Mississippi". NBC News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Mississippi slaughter: A timeline of 8 killings by one man in a single night". The Washington Post. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Inman, Willie James (May 30, 2017). "Mississippi shooting spree suspect denied bond during initial court appearance". Fox News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Teen died a hero, saved cousin during shooting spree". USA Today. May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Teen "played dead" while cousin took bullets during Miss. shooting rampage". CBS. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ "Deadly shooting spree: Man fought to the death to save his family". Clarion Ledger. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Man held in killing of 8 people often threatened violence". The Ledger. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Family says suspect had 'episodes' before deadly Mississippi shooting rampage". ABC News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Mississippi man indicted in shooting rampage that left eight people dead". USA Today. March 8, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Mississippi Supreme Court affirms a death row inmate's convictions in the killings of 8 people". ABC News. March 8, 2024.
External links edit
- 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
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