Relatives of a Mississippi State University student slain in 2016 say they continue to grieve for him and are glad justice is being served in light of the recent indictments of two men in the case.
Joseph Tillman of Schlater was fatally shot Nov. 6, 2016, on Maxwell Street in Starkville’s Cotton District.
Jaylen Barker, 21, and Syboris Pippins, 19, were indicted last week on capital murder charges in the shooting. Both are being held at the Oktibbeha County Jail, according to the Starkville Daily News.
Pippins is set to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Scott Colom, the district attorney handling the prosecution. Barker's arraignment has not been set, Colom said.
“We are forever grateful to the Starkville Police Department and Oktibbeha Sheriff Office for their assistance in the arrest, and the District Attorney’s office for their efforts to see this through,” the Tillman family said in a written statement. “These people have worked and are working so very hard and have been so dedicated to investigating and help hold up our family.”
“We are thankful to the community both here and Starkville that have supported and prayed for us,” the Tillmans said. “We want justice to be swift and complete in the hope that this type of senseless violence can end.”
The men indicted were two out of five suspects involved in the case.
Jamario Pippins and Brandon Sherrod were charged as accessories to murder after the fact. Both made bail and were released, but it is unclear when. Colom said for legal reasons he was unable to provide more information about them.
A fifth person was also involved, Tyler Harris, but Circuit Court did not have jurisdiction because he is a juvenile, Colom said.
All five suspects are from Columbus. It is unclear whether Jamario Pippins and Syboris Pippins are related.
•Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
