The fourth suspect wanted in connection with the Friday April 10 shooting death of Alberta Garner, 24, was apprehended around noon on Tuesday in Moorhead by United States Marshals.
Indianola police investigator Sgt. Regina Simpson said Detriss Lanford, 20, was arrested by the marshals without incident and is in the Sunflower County jail charged with first-degree murder and awaiting his initial appearance, which she was hopeful would take place on Wednesday.
Simpson said the marshals were brought in to assist after Lanford reportedly called the police department and stated that Police Chief Edrick Hall nor his officers should approach him. She expressed her appreciation for the marshals’ help. “I contacted them and they did a great job,” she said.
In his comments regarding Lanford’s actions, Hall said, “This guy actually called the police station, at first he said, ‘‘Y’all looking for me?” Hall said his officers asked, “Is this Detriss?” Lanford then reportedly denied that it was him when he realized he had given himself away. “He said, ‘Naw, this ain’t Detriss,” according to Hall.
The chief said that’s when Lanford issued a repetitive declaration asserting to the officers that they should tell Hall not to approach him. “He kept repeating it,” Hall said.
According to Hall, Garner’s shooting is not the only reason Lanford was being sought. “He’s going to be wanted by several agencies, it appears the Ruleville Police Department was looking for him, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department and the ATF. So, it’s just a waiting list with this guy, but he is in custody,” Hall said.
Lanford also reportedly has a possible outstanding aggravated assault warrant stemming from a May 9, 2019 shooting incident in Indianola.
Prior to Lanford’s arrest, three other persons, Jalexia Flowers, 23, Lemarkcus James, 30 and Yacelyn James, 18 , who are still in custody, were arrested and also charged with first-degree murder with a $1 million bond set for each.
Garner, who was reportedly an innocent bystander, was pronounced dead at the scene on the Friday before Easter after gunfire started just before sunset near the intersection of Garrard Avenue and Curtis Street.
