By By Suzanne Monk/The Meridian Star
June 1, 2001
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said Thursday that four men have been charged in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Tyrone Moffett.
Three of the suspects are in custody.
Sollie is asking for the public's help to locate the fourth, 27-year-old Johnathan Ruffin of 905 Scott Mount Road in Lisman, Ala. A warrant charging Ruffin with capital murder has been issued.
The fatal shooting happened about 10 p.m. Sunday on Will Wright Road. Moffett's body was found beside his car, next to the open driver's door.
Also charged with capital murder was 30-year-old Derrick Dewayne Nicholson of Lisman, Ala.
The remaining two suspects 24-year-old Tyrone Tillman of 1137 Sandflat Road and 31-year-old Morris Griggs of 1808 18th St. are in custody at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility.
Griggs has been charged with robbery. Tillman has been charged as an accessory after the fact of murder.
Sollie said his department's investigators have been working the case non-stop since Sunday night and believe the shooting was a robbery gone bad. Tillman told investigators at the scene that Moffett was shot by one of several black men in a second car.
The sheriff said the case may be presented to a Lauderdale County grand jury in July, if evidence has been processed by the Mississippi Crime Lab by that time. He thanked Lolley for his help in apprehending Nicholson.
Sollie warned residents not to approach Ruffin, described as a neat, heavy-built black man, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 917-8888.
Suzanne Monk is managing editor of The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3229, or e-mail her at smonk@themeridianstar.com.