A Leflore County man, held for investigation in a fatal shooting since Friday, is to be released today “pending the case going to the next grand jury,” Sheriff Ricky Banks said.
Banks said no charges have been filed against the 30-year-old involving last Thursday’s shooting of Michael Barker.
The Commonwealth does not identify criminal suspects unless they are formally charged.
The next Leflore County grand jury will convene in January.
Funeral services for Barker were scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Williams & Lord Funeral Home.
The shooting happened Thursday night on Mississippi 7.
Leflore County Coroner Debra Sanders said Barker died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Banks said last Friday that the incident could possibly be a case of self-defense.
Barker and the suspect were both armed, and the shooting apparently sprang out of an altercation regarding Barker’s stepson. Banks said the suspect admitted to shooting Barker.
The sheriff said the grand jury could rule the shooting self-defense or opt for a criminal charge. If the shooting were to be ruled a homicide, it would be the eighth one in the county this year.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
