A hunting accident left a man dead in Jones County.
On June 28th, Jones County authorities were alerted that a body was left lying on Tucker’s Crossing Bridge (which is closed) in Ellisville. An investigation was launched, and the victim’s car was found on Sunday in Laurel.
As authorities continued to examine surveillance footage and follow leads, 53-year-old Stephen McLaurin was identified as a suspect in the case. After leading police on a brief chase, McLaurin was arrested on Felony Fleeing and Felony Taking of a Motor Vehicle charges.
While he was being questioned by police, McLaurin said that he was a friend of the unnamed victim and went to confess to the shooting. According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, the two were alligator hunting on the bridge and McLaurin’s gun jammed. When he was trying to dislodge the gun, it accidentally fired, striking the victim.
McLaurin told police that he panicked and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. As a result of the confession, he was charged with Second Degree Murder.
