Arkabutla, MS (2/18/2023) – The Tate County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) reported on February 17, 2023, a series of shootings at three different locations in Arkabutla, resulting in the deaths of six people.
A spokesperson with TCSO said we are in the very early stages of the investigation, so we can only release a limited amount of information. We want the community to know that the suspect is in custody.
Richard Dale Crum, 52, of Arkabulta, Mississippi, was arrested this afternoon and charged with First Degree Murder in connection with this case. Additional charges for the other victims will be filed in the coming days.
The sheriff told CNN the first incident came into 911 at about 11 am when the gunman pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store about 45 miles south of Memphis. Crum allegedly shot and killed the driver of a car next to him, leaving another person uninjured.
Crum then drove to his ex-wife’s home, where he shot and killed her and physically struck her fiance.
TCSO Deputies found a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description in front of Crum’s home, the sheriff said. Deputies spotted Crum trying to flee the scene and took him into custody.
Crum is being held without bond in the Tate County Jail.
