Young girl killed by family friend in freak accident

News Briefs From Across The State

Friend has not been charged

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said a 12-year old girl was killed when a family friend accidentally ran over her with his truck. On Aug. 18, about 8:30 p.m., Byrd said Kaitlynn Reiser, of St. Martin, was leaving softball practice with her friends near St. Martin High School.

Reports said 32-year old Ray Bryan Jefferys, of Vancleave, was talking with Kaitlynn’s stepfather out of the driver’s side front window while backing up his truck.

“He wasn’t going very fast,” Byrd told Gulflive. “He’d just taken his foot off the pedal when he felt a bump and pulled forward.”

Byrd said Kaitlynn was knocked down by the truck and ran over by at least one tire.

Kaitlynn was transported to Ocean Springs Hospital where she later died.

Byrd is calling Kaitlynn’s death a “tragic accident.” No charges have been filed against Jefferys.

Man shot in drug deal gone wrong

Gulfport police said a man trying to purchase illegal drugs was robbed and shot by the prospective drug dealer. Authorities did not release the victim’s name, but said on Aug. 14, about 10:46 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of 19th Street in reference to a shooting.

When they arrived, the victim, who had been shot in the leg, was still at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and advised police that he was trying to buy narcotics when two men approached him in his vehicle and pulled a gun on him.

The victim and his passenger were ordered from the vehicle and the suspect’s demanded money.

Captain Neal Stachura, of the Gulfport Police Department, said the victim challenged the suspect to see if the gun was real and he was shot in the leg. The suspect’s fled on foot with the victim’s money.

Stachura said the victim has been treated and released from the hospital and will not be charged with a crime.

Woman critically injured in motorcycle crash

Jackson police are investigating a two-vehicle accident that left a woman critically injured. Around 10:23 p.m., on Aug. 21, Jackson Police Officer Colendula Green said the driver of a 1988 Chevy Capri pulled in front of a motorcycle driven by 42-year old Steven Smalls and the two collided.

The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 80 in front of Wendy’s.

Green said Smalls sustained minor injuries, while his passenger, who was not identified, suffered major head injuries. Green said her condition is life-threatening.

Reportedly, the driver of the Chevy was not injured. As of yet, no charges have been filed against the driver.

Philadelphia man gets jail for time for assaulting elderly couple

A 25-year old man will serve more than four years in federal prison for stabbing an elderly married couple belonging to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Maurice McMillian Jr., was sentenced in U.S. District court to 54 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the assault.

U.S. Attorney John Dowdy said the offense occurred within the boundaries of the Tribal Lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and was investigated by the FBI.

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