Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a Natchez man in connection with the shooting death of a Natchitoches man in Natchez on Tuesday evening less than 24-hours after the senseless act of violence according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
NPSO Operations Bureau deputies responded on May 7 around 8:16 pm to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a shooting in the 100 block of La. Hwy 119 in Natchez just south of the Natchez Place Apartments.
Deputies arrived on scene finding a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound lying in a ditch off of Hwy. 119.
Natchitoches Police, Louisiana State Police, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS also responded to the scene to assist.
Five NPSO Sheriff’s Detectives responded to gather information, process the crime scene and interview potential witnesses.
The victim was transported from the scene to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Detectives learned shortly after arriving at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Jonathan T. “Debo” Howard , 44, of Natchitoches was pronounced dead after life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
According to Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton, the body was sent to Shreveport for an autopsy.
Detectives worked throughout the night, processing the crime scene, gathering evidence, and interviewed witnesses in efforts of identifying a suspect who fled the scene according to Sheriff Wright.
As the investigation progressed, detectives obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause to secure a criminal warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Judge for the arrest of Michael K. Wills, 30, of Natchez, La.
Wills a convicted felon was believed to be armed.
This morning at approximately 9:14am, Natchitoches SWAT, sheriff’s detectives, patrol deputies and the Winn Parish K-9 Tracking Team armed with search and arrest warrants signed by a district judge took Wills into custody at a residence in the 1200 block of Old River Road near Natchez without incident.
Detectives stated during the execution of two search warrants they discovered and seized three semi-automatic handguns.
The weapons serial numbers will be ran through the National Crime Information Center and submitted to the crime lab for analysis and ballistic testing.
Michael K. Wills, 30, of Natchez was transported from the scene to the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit for an interview and shortly afterwards booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-Count of Second Degree Murder, 1-Count of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and other charges pending as the investigation moves forward.
No further details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
No bond has been set.
If you have any information or video of this senseless shooting incident please contact the NPSO at 357-7851, Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at 238-2388 or the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 357-7830.
Sheriff Wright commends all Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Natchitoches SWAT, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Natchitoches Police and the Winn Parish K-9 Apprehension Team for their professionalism during this investigation which led to the arrest of this suspect.
We extend our sympathy to the victim’s family and friends.
Case Agents:
Detective Lt. Jonathan Byles
Detective Eric Mogridge
Detective Sgt. Derrick Sowell
Detective Garrett Murchinson
NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau
318-357-7830
