Who are these men? Suspect in Carl the rooster’s death won’t identify them, police say
A new court date has been set for a South Mississippi woman charged with animal cruelty in the death of Carl the Rooster, a beloved icon and mascot for downtown Ocean Springs.
Kendra Shaffer, of Jones County, was set to appear in Ocean Springs municipal court on Wednesday, but the date was moved to May 25 at the request of city prosecutor Monte Tynes.
Because Tynes is prosecuting the municipal court case, he did not wish to comment further Monday on the changed date.
Shaffer could plead guilty at her first court date, or she could plead not guilty and a trial date will be set.
So far, Shaffer has not cooperated with Ocean Springs police in the investigation to help them identify other suspects caught on surveillance video taking Carl around 3 a.m. on April 24.
The video shows a woman, since identified as Shaffer, and a group of men walking down Government Street with Carl after picking him up from Twisted Anchor Tattoo & Gallery.
Once the others are identified, additional charges are expected to be filed.
“This is still an active investigation,” said Ocean Springs Police Chief Mark Dunston. “Our investigators are continuing to follow up to identify the other actors in this incident.”
Other video evidence indicates the suspects later dumped Carl’s body in Biloxi, Dunston said Monday. It is believed that a possibly homeless man then picked up Carl’s remains and walked away with them.
Shaffer lost her job as a Jones County juvenile corrections officer when authorities identified her as a suspect in the animal cruelty case.
The rooster’s proper name is Carl 2.0 because it is the second rooster to make its home along Government Street in downtown Ocean Springs.
When Carl went missing, downtown Ocean Springs merchants who cared for the animal appealed to the public to help find the beloved animal. Later, the residents gathered up video surveillance footage from businesses that captured Carl’s kidnapping and circulated them on Facebook and Instagram.
News of his death led to an outpouring of grief from locals who looked at him like a pet. Mourners have built shrines across downtown Ocean Springs remembering Carl, and his killing was highlighted in a viral TikTok. National media have reported on the rooster’s death, including People Magazine.
Residents are planning a second line funeral for Carl.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 12:34 PM.