STARKVILLE, MISS– Joseph Tillman of Schlater was killed in a shooting in the Cotton District, said officials with Mississippi State. Starkville Police Department have confirmed the arrests of four individuals connected to that shooting.
20-year old Jaylen M. Barker has been charged with murder with a bond of $1,000,000. 22-year old Jamario Pippins, 16-year old Tyler Harris, and 19-year old Brandon Sherrod were charged with murder, as an accessory, each with a bond of $500,000. All arrestees are from Columbus/Lowndes County. All were transported to the Oktibbeha County Jail and have initial Municipal Court appearances on Monday, November 7, 2016, at 6:00 P.M.
Police believe a robbery was taking place when Tillman was killed.
An autopsy will be performed on Tillman Monday, but his death is being investigated as a homicide.
Sid Salter, Chief Communications Officer and Director of the Office of Public Affairs at Mississippi State University, tweeted about the shooting on Sunday.
The MSU family is shocked and grieving over the loss of our fine student senior marketing major Joseph Tillman of Schlater. (1/3).
— Sid Salter (@sidsalter) November 6, 2016
We are grateful to local law enforcement for their swift action in this case and are fully cooperating with their investigation. (2/3)
— Sid Salter (@sidsalter) November 6, 2016
Counseling services are available for MSU students who need that service. We have no other relevant information to share at this time.(3/3)
— Sid Salter (@sidsalter) November 6, 2016
The shooting took place in the Cotton District off campus, therefore Mississippi State University Police are not investigating. Local media reported that a possible motive is still being investigated. News Mississippi will continue to update this story.
