‘You tore a family apart.’ Relatives speak out after 2 killed at Moss Point home, 1 hospitalized.
A family is asking for prayers and answers as Moss Point police investigate an incident that left two people dead and one in the hospital.
Early Sunday morning, officers were called to a home on Old Slag Road, off of Mississippi 63 south of the Escatawpa River. Detectives taped off a large part of the road to focus their investigation on one home.
Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley confirmed to the Sun Herald that two people were found dead from “obvious trauma” and another was taken to Singing River Hospital.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Ashley said. “The victims were targeted for unknown reasons at this time. Detectives are working tirelessly to determine the motive.”
Family on scene told the Sun Herald that one of the victims was George Kirkland, who was living at the home.
Ashley said the home had no electricity and “has a history of alleged criminal activity from drugs and larceny.”
The family said investigators told them Kirkland was beaten and then shot.
Calvin Hunter, Kirkland’s uncle, said no one deserves a death like what happened to his nephew, especially so close to the holidays. He said although the family is grieving and angry, they will lean on their faith.
“We’re hurt,” Hunter said. “We have to take and put our faith and trust in God. Good and bad we have to put our trust in God to make this right. God sees all, may may not, but God sees all. I promise you God will deliver justice.”
Hunter shared details of what happened with Kirkland’s father, Willie George Hunter.
“He was loved. He was loved by his father and will be missed,” Hunter told the Sun Herald over the phone. “I want justice to be done. I want them to get them, lock them up and pay for what they did to my son.”
Hunter told his brother through tears over the phone that he loved him and to pray. He said he hopes those responsible will know the pain they caused the victims’ families
“You didn’t just take someone’s life, you took my nephew,” Hunter said. “He’s irreplaceable. You tore a family apart.”
He said they also pray that the victim in the hospital will recover and be able to provide some answers.
“(They’re) the key to finding out who did this,” Hunter said.
Moss Point police are asking that “any and all information regarding this crime or any crime that occurred at the residence” to be reported to police at 228-475-1711 or Crime Stoppers, where callers remain anonymous.
This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 6:39 PM.