Gunman shoots eight people dead including a sheriff's deputy after 'domestic argument with his wife over their children turned violent'

dailymail.co.uk

May 28, 2017 3:05 PM

Authorities in Mississippi say a suspect is in custody after eight people were killed in a shooting, including a sheriff's deputy, after an apparent domestic argument over children.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said the suspect is Willie Cory Godbolt, aged 35 of Bogue Chitto, which is an unincorporated town of about 500 people located north east of Jackson. 

He was captured Sunday morning shortly before 7am at Super Jack's at East Lincoln Road and Hwy. 84, Rushing said.

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the shootings occurred at three separate homes Saturday night in rural Lincoln County. 

Godbolt said he had been shot in the arm by someone inside the home before he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

While sitting on the ground in handcuffs surrounded by law enforcement officers before he was transported, Godbolt callously told the Clarion-Ledger of his intentions and that he did it because he loved his wife and children and he loves Bogue Chitto. 

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Authorities in Mississippi say a suspect is in custody after eight people were killed in a shooting, including a sheriff's deputy, early Sunday morning. The suspect is Willie Cory Godbolt (above in arrest photo), aged 35 

Godbolt (pictured above on the ground) was captured Sunday morning shortly before 7am at Super Jack's at East Lincoln Road and Hwy. 84

While sitting on the ground in handcuffs, Godbolt (above) told the Clarion-Ledger that his intentions were to take his children and that other people intervened. He said: 'Suicide by cop was my intention, I ain't fit to live not after what I've done, not in your eyes.'

He said he was talking with his wife and members of her family when someone called authorities. 

'I was having a conversation with her stepdaddy and her mama and her, my wife, about me taking my children home,' Godbolt told the newspaper. 

'Somebody called the officer, people that didn't even live at the house. That's what they do. They intervene.

'They cost him his life,' the suspect said, seemingly in reference to the slain deputy. 'I'm sorry.'

He also said he did not intend for police to capture him alive and that he 'ran out of bullets.'

In asking what's next for him, Godbolt told a reporter that 'death' is next.' 

'My intentions was to have God kill me. I ran out of bullets,' he said. 

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing (right) said Godbolt (left) was captured Sunday morning shortly before 7am at Super Jack's at East Lincoln Road and Hwy. 84

'Suicide by cop was my intention. I ain't fit to live not after what I've done, not in your eyes, not in nobody else’s eyes. 

'But God, you know, he forgives you for everything.”

The sheriff said that a 16-year-old male is safe after being taken hostage allegedly by Godbolt. 

Two of the homes are in Brookhaven and one is in Bogue Chitto. The area is about 68 miles south of Jackson, the capital.

Rushing said it appears the deputy responded to a 911 call at Lee Drive of the resident wanting Godbolt removed from the property,The Daily Leader reported. 

That's when the deputy along with three others were killed allegedly by Godbolt. 

Rushing said two more people were shot and killed at a resident on Coopertown Road.    

Strain says charges have not yet been filed against the suspect. Authorities have not released the identities of those killed in the shootings.

Investigators were gathering evidence at all three locations.

Governor Phil Bryant issued a statement about the shooting and wrote in a Facebook post: 'I ask all Mississippians to join Deborah and me in praying for those lost in Lincoln County.

Governor Phil Bryant issued a statement about the shooting and wrote the above Facebook post on Sunday

'Every day, the men and women who wear the badge make some measure of sacrifice to protect and serve their communities. 

'Too often, we lose one of our finest. I thank the law enforcement agencies involved for their hard work. May the peace of the Almighty wash over those hurting after this senseless tragedy.' 

Godbolt was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault in 2005 after he allegedly struck a man with a pistol and stole his wallet, cash and jewelry. 

In 2016, Godbolt was arrested for contempt of Justice Court and simple assault by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.