The Kosciusko Police Department is looking for Ruben Bell, a 30-year-old black male, and Stephen Adams, a 30-year-old black male, in the fatal shooting of Rodney “Amp” Williams, 31, at 912 North Natchez St. Wednesday afternoon. Both suspects have Kosciusko addresses.
Police received the shooting report just after 2 p.m. yesterday and Kosciusko officer Toweka Ferguson was on scene within two minutes, according to Kosciusko Police Chief Herbert Dew.
“If she had been just a little bit earlier, she would have been right in the middle of it,” said Dew.
At the time Ferguson arrived on the scene, Williams was already deceased. A second victim, who was shot in buttocks, was treated and released from Baptist-Attala yesterday. Police are not releasing that individual’s name since, at this time, he is considered a victim.
Dew said that in addition to the two named suspects, another person of interest will be questioned. That person, who has a Carthage address, has been arrested by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and remains in custody on unrelated felony charges. The chief said an officer will head to Madison to conduct that questioning.
Dew said multiple weapons were recovered at the scene, as were shell casings from both handguns and at least one rifle.
The chief said five individuals — the two suspects, the two victims and the person of interest — were reportedly gathered in front of the home when a disagreement broke out.
Based on the recovery of the firearms and shell casings, as well as a variety of illegal drugs, Dew said he suspects the incident was drug-related. He also said all five of those involved were known to the department.
“Speculation is that it will likely turn out to be drug-related. Drugs were recovered at the scene, marijuana, meth, ice and pills,” he said. “We were told there was a disagreement between the two groups about money, but money usually translates to drugs. But that is all speculation at this point.”
Dew said the Attala County Sheriff’s Department, the fire and street departments were all a help in securing and processing a large crime scene. Police worked the scene from the intial call until sunset last evening.
“This was a big scene that took a long time and we needed a lot of resources that weren’t just us,” he said. “When you get a scene like that it overwhelms you a lot. You’re trying to secure the scene, you’re trying to tend to the victims, trying to gather information…. And you’ve got to keep the crowd back.”
