A gunman went on a shooting rampage in southern Mississippi Saturday that left a Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy and seven other people dead.
Officials said that Willie Corey Godbolt, who had gotten into an argument with his estranged wife over their children, was taken into custody seven hours after the shooting spree that spanned Bogue Chitto and Brookhaven began, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
Deputy William Durr, two boys, Godbolt's mother-in-law and other family members were killed in the rampage.
Godbolt was charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first-degree murder.
The killings started around 11:30 p.m. Saturday with a domestic call at 2871 Lee Drive in Bogue Chitto. Godbolt had gone to the residence to talk about his children and at some point neighbors called police.
Durr responded to the situation and was later found dead along with three other people after being shot dead by the suspect.
The second crime scene was located at 1658 Coopertown Road in Brookhaven sometime between midnight and 5 a.m.where the bodies of the two boys were found.
Durr, a two-year veteran of the force, leaves behind his wife and an 11-year-old son.
Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said mourning the loss of the deputy.
"It's a small community and everybody's hurting in one way or another," Rushing said. "To me, he died a hero doing his job."
Gov. Phil Bryant asked for prayers in the aftermath of the slayings.
"Every day, the men and women who wear the badge make some measure of sacrifice to protect and serve their communities," Bryant said. "Too often, we lose one of our finest. I thank the law enforcement agencies involved for their hard work."
Funeral services are pending.
