Crime
45-year-old Billy Bland in custody after shooting his wife in Canton
The search for 45-year-old Billy Bland, accused of shooting his wife, has come to an end.
Canton Police Chief Otha Brown confirmed that Bland was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Task Force on Saturday morning, bringing an intense manhunt to a close.
Bland is accused of shooting his wife in the stomach on Friday evening near Martin Luther King Drive.
The victim was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in critical condition, where she is receiving treatment for her injuries.
Following his capture, Bland was transported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, where he is currently being held.
He faces charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence, though Chief Brown indicated that the charges could be upgraded depending on the outcome of the investigation and the victim’s condition.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Canton Police Department at (601) 859-2121.
A horrific series of unprovoked stabbings unfolded in Manhattan on Monday morning leaving two men dead and a woman critically injured.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a 51-year-old resident of the Bellevue Men’s Shelter, who was apprehended shortly after the attacks.
Timeline of Events
First Attack: West 19th Street
The violent spree began around 8:20 a.m. when the suspect approached a 30-year-old man on West 19th Street near Eighth Avenue and stabbed him in the stomach.
- Victim: Identified as a construction worker.
- Response: The man was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Second Attack: East 30th Street
Roughly two hours later, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the suspect targeted another victim, this time a man in his 60s, on East 30th Street near the FDR Drive.
- Incident: The man was stabbed multiple times.
- Outcome: He was also transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
Third Attack: East 42nd Street
Shortly before 11 a.m., the attacker struck again, stabbing a woman in the chest at East 42nd Street and First Avenue.
- Victim: A woman whose identity has not been disclosed.
- Condition: She was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.
Suspect and Arrest
The suspect was detained by authorities at East 46th Street and First Avenue, following a citywide manhunt.
- Residence: Identified as living at the Bellevue Men’s Shelter.
- Behavior: Sources indicated that the stabbings appeared random, with the attacker instigating disputes before each assault.
- Charges: Pending as of the latest updates.
Community and Police Response
The spree left Manhattan residents and authorities shaken. Police are investigating the motive behind the attacks, though preliminary findings suggest no connection between the victims and the assailant.
Victim Support and Resources
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The city also continues to emphasize the importance of mental health resources and safety measures for vulnerable populations.
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and mental health crises within urban communities.