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• Panola County Sheriff’’s Office, MS Bureau Of Investigations looking into shooting
• Officer shot twice
• Suspect has long violent criminal history

(Crenshaw, MS) A small town police officer is recovering after being shot in a gunfight that killed a suspect.

The 32 year-old father of six is being called a hero and is being credited for saving a woman’s life.

Around 10 o’clock Sunday night, Panola County Sheriff’s Office Investigators say Officer Sean Shelton drove to a rural Mississippi home after a woman who had been recieving death threats from her ex-boyfriend said her power had been shut off at her home after work. Officer Shelton walked into the home, and was met by a barrage of gunfire from the ex-boyfriend who had been hiding inside the woman’s home. Two bullets hit Officer Shelton, one in the abdomen and another grazed his face. Officer Shelton returned fire, and killed the suspect, Lawrence Richardson.

“That is brave of him,” says Barbara Green, who lives next door to the shooting scene. “Glad he’s okay.”

The woman who was the suspect’s target says she’s thankful to be alive, thankful for the officer and is praying for his speedy recovery.

As he remains at The Med listed in fair condition his mother, Bennie Shelton-Thomas, says she’s blessed her son is alive. “He’s a policeman in the true sense of the word,” she says. “He takes his job very seriously.”

• Panola County Sheriff’’s Office, MS Bureau Of Investigations looking into shooting
• Officer shot twice
• Suspect has long violent criminal history

(Crenshaw, MS) A small town police officer is recovering after being shot in a gunfight that killed a suspect.

The 32 year-old father of six is being called a hero and is being credited for saving a woman’s life.

Around 10 o’clock Sunday night, Panola County Sheriff’s Office Investigators say Officer Sean Shelton drove to a rural Mississippi home after a woman who had been recieving death threats from her ex-boyfriend said her power had been shut off at her home after work. Officer Shelton walked into the home, and was met by a barrage of gunfire from the ex-boyfriend who had been hiding inside the woman’s home. Two bullets hit Officer Shelton, one in the abdomen and another grazed his face. Officer Shelton returned fire, and killed the suspect, Lawrence Richardson.

“That is brave of him,” says Barbara Green, who lives next door to the shooting scene. “Glad he’s okay.”

The woman who was the suspect’s target says she’s thankful to be alive, thankful for the officer and is praying for his speedy recovery.

As he remains at The Med listed in fair condition his mother, Bennie Shelton-Thomas, says she’s blessed her son is alive. “He’s a policeman in the true sense of the word,” she says. “He takes his job very seriously.”

• Dogs Rescued From Suspected Mississippi Puppy Mill To Get New Homes
• Some Flew To New York
• Others Taken To Atlanta Humane Society

danya.bacchus@wreg.com

(Olive Branch, MS 02/07/2010) It’s an exciting day for the folks watching this plane leave from the Olive Branch airport. Inside are over 30 of the dogs they rescued from a suspected puppy mill in Marshall County, Mississippi.

Just days ago, 95 dogs and a cat were found living in deplorable conditions. Many were malnourished with skin conditions. Investigators also found several dead dogs on the property but there’s hope for the surviving animals.

“It’s been a very special few days to see them go from pretty deplorable conditions to happy. They’re getting better, skin conditions getting better. Now, they have a bright future ahead of them,” said Kelley Weir of the American Humane Association.

Some of the dogs who aren’t going to New York are now in Atlanta. The city’s humane society is welcoming the pets with open arms.

“Any time there’s a puppy mill or a dog bust we just always want to help to get those animals into a good situation. Bring them back here, get them treated and give the dogs a nice home,” said Kathy Sleva of the Atlanta Humane Society.

The dogs will need to be nursed back to health but thankfully they don’t have any conditions that are untreatable. Their main concern is finding the animals a place to call home.

“It’s rewarding, that’s what it is, knowing that you’re getting animals from a bad situation bring them, put them up for adoption and giving them good homes,” said Toney Smith of the Atlanta Humane Society.

Humane officials are hoping the dogs will be adopted in the coming weeks. There’s still no word on if the owners will be charged.

• Dogs Rescued From Suspected Mississippi Puppy Mill To Get New Homes
• Some Flew To New York
• Others Taken To Atlanta Humane Society

danya.bacchus@wreg.com

(Olive Branch, MS 02/07/2010) It’s an exciting day for the folks watching this plane leave from the Olive Branch airport. Inside are over 30 of the dogs they rescued from a suspected puppy mill in Marshall County, Mississippi.

Just days ago, 95 dogs and a cat were found living in deplorable conditions. Many were malnourished with skin conditions. Investigators also found several dead dogs on the property but there’s hope for the surviving animals.

“It’s been a very special few days to see them go from pretty deplorable conditions to happy. They’re getting better, skin conditions getting better. Now, they have a bright future ahead of them,” said Kelley Weir of the American Humane Association.

Some of the dogs who aren’t going to New York are now in Atlanta. The city’s humane society is welcoming the pets with open arms.

“Any time there’s a puppy mill or a dog bust we just always want to help to get those animals into a good situation. Bring them back here, get them treated and give the dogs a nice home,” said Kathy Sleva of the Atlanta Humane Society.

The dogs will need to be nursed back to health but thankfully they don’t have any conditions that are untreatable. Their main concern is finding the animals a place to call home.

“It’s rewarding, that’s what it is, knowing that you’re getting animals from a bad situation bring them, put them up for adoption and giving them good homes,” said Toney Smith of the Atlanta Humane Society.

Humane officials are hoping the dogs will be adopted in the coming weeks. There’s still no word on if the owners will be charged.

• Charges expected in Marshall Co. Puppy mill investigation
• Animal rights groups caring for 94 dogs, one cat
• Animals soon to be adopted

(Marshall Co, MS 02/05/2010) – Charges are expected in the investigation into the deplorable conditions at a North Mississippi puppy mill. The animals were found dirty, malnourished and living outside in the cold and rain. News Channel 3 has new information about the couple who owned the dogs and an update on how the puppies are doing now.

“I’m in the process of taking these down to our adoption center in Holly Springs. We will have them in isolation for a few days and once they get the clearance we’ll be getting them to the Petco adoption days up in Collierville,” said Maggie Holmes, Marshall Co. Humane Society.

They hope the rest of the animals also find good homes. Volunteers from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Association are nursing 94 dogs and one cat back to health and cleaning them up at this temporary emergency shelter. They were found in deplorable conditions at this home in Red Banks, Mississippi. The owners, Nancy and John Garrison are not there when we visit but the stench left behind by the puppy mill is.

“It was totally different from two years ago,” Said Marshall Co. Deputy Sgt. Tracey Jeffries.

This is the second time the sheriff’s office had answered a complaint at the Garrison’s property. The first time they found a large number of animals but no signs of neglect. The sheriff says declining health of the wife might be part of the reason but it’s no excuse.

“Certainly I don’t condone anyone who would mistreat or not properly care for an animal,” said Sheriff Kenny Dickerson, Marshall County.

Charges are expected but the penalty for crimes against animals in Mississippi is likely a simple fine and a few days in jail. Some say not enough considering what the animals have been through.

“Today is the first day of the rest of these dogs lives. They were in a different place yesterday. Today they’re being cared for,” said Kelley Weir, American Humane Association.

Allison Cardona, ASPCA, said while showing us a puppy, “This is one of the little chihuahuas that was in there. Very sweet, a little scared but they got all their nails trimmed. They had really long nails. Some of them have been groomed. A lot of them were really matted.”

The animals will be sent to pet adoption agencies all over the country so they can find good homes.

• Two Dyersburg Police On Administrative Leave
• 49-Year old Charles King Shot and Killed
• Police Say He Charged At Officers With A Knife

danya.bacchus@wreg.com


(Dyersburg, TN 02/04/2010) Gerald Aldridge witnessed the shooting death of his nephew Wednesday afternoon. Dyersburg police say they came to Aldridge’s apartment to issue a warrant for 49-year old Charles King. What happened next is like a blur to Aldridge.

“He was in the bathroom. They said he had a knife. I didn’t see it. They told him to put it down and they shot him. They shot him in the chest, they could have hit him in the leg. They killed him,” said Aldridge.

Dyersburg police say king had a knife and came charging at two officers. one of them shot him. those who know king say they aren’t buying that story.

“I don’t believe that I’m sorry. He carried a knife around with him because he’s always been abused and mis-treated but I don’t believe he would hurt nobody. I really don’t believe that I’m sorry,” said neighbor Elizabeth Neace.

Police say the warrant was for King’s failure to appear in court seven times for a possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charge. They say he also didn’t comply with a court order of a monthly drug test. His neighbors say the shooting has most people wondering why police had to take such action.

“They could have used a taser, pepper spray or something on because because he wouldn’t hurt nobody,” said Neace.

The two officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave with pay, a procedure officials say is standard after a deadly use of force incident. TBI and Dyersburg internal affairs are in charge of the investigation.

• Two Dyersburg Police On Administrative Leave
• 49-Year old Charles King Shot and Killed
• Police Say He Charged At Officers With A Knife

danya.bacchus@wreg.com


(Dyersburg, TN 02/04/2010) Gerald Aldridge witnessed the shooting death of his nephew Wednesday afternoon. Dyersburg police say they came to Aldridge’s apartment to issue a warrant for 49-year old Charles King. What happened next is like a blur to Aldridge.

“He was in the bathroom. They said he had a knife. I didn’t see it. They told him to put it down and they shot him. They shot him in the chest, they could have hit him in the leg. They killed him,” said Aldridge.

Dyersburg police say king had a knife and came charging at two officers. one of them shot him. those who know king say they aren’t buying that story.

“I don’t believe that I’m sorry. He carried a knife around with him because he’s always been abused and mis-treated but I don’t believe he would hurt nobody. I really don’t believe that I’m sorry,” said neighbor Elizabeth Neace.

Police say the warrant was for King’s failure to appear in court seven times for a possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charge. They say he also didn’t comply with a court order of a monthly drug test. His neighbors say the shooting has most people wondering why police had to take such action.

“They could have used a taser, pepper spray or something on because because he wouldn’t hurt nobody,” said Neace.

The two officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave with pay, a procedure officials say is standard after a deadly use of force incident. TBI and Dyersburg internal affairs are in charge of the investigation.