Crime
Four Arrested in Connection with Deadly New Year’s Eve Shooting in Holmes County
HOLMES COUNTY, MS — Four individuals have been taken into custody following a fatal New Year’s Eve shooting at a Shell gas station on Highway 17 in Holmes County.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two young men and left a third person injured.
Holmes County Sheriff Willie March confirmed that three suspects—19-year-old Amari Ward, 20-year-old Amante Ward, and 23-year-old Jamal Sly—were arrested on Monday. Each faces two counts of murder, with bond set at $500,000 per count.
A fourth suspect, 21-year-old Sendarius Craft, was arrested on Tuesday. Bond for Craft has not yet been determined.
The deadly shooting occurred around 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at the Shell gas station on Highway 17. According to Sheriff March, deputies arrived on the scene to find evidence of a violent shootout.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered 21-year-old Brian Grisby Jr. deceased near the front door of the store. Another victim, 19-year-old De’Marion Sly, was rushed to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A third victim, 22-year-old Antine Fisher, sustained a grazing gunshot wound. Fisher was treated for his injuries and released.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the events leading up to the shooting.
While four arrests have been made, authorities are working to piece together the exact circumstances of the incident and determine whether additional individuals were involved.Sheriff March has called on community members to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation.
“We are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and their families. Anyone with details, no matter how small, is urged to contact our office,” he said.
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.