A man is facing a second-degree murder charge in a shooting death that occurred Saturday night at a Eupora convenience store.
The Eupora Police Department said it was dispatched to the Eupora Discount Store, 2660 W. Roane Ave., about 11:45 p.m. Saturday for a gunshot victim. Officers arrived to find 29-year-old Jordan Alexander “Al” Gaston of Eupora unresponsive, according to the department.
“Officers then identified 26-year-old Joshua Oats as the fatal shooting suspect,” EPD said in a release.“ (Oats) was immediately taking into police custody.”
Police Chief Lawrence Caradine said the victim, also known as Alexander Embry, was shot multiple times inside the store and a 9mm handgun was seized for evidence. Webster 911 records show that, in addition to the EPD, the Webster County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.
Caradine said the preliminary investigation determined that the shooting escalated from a verbal argument over a cellphone. He said additional details could not be released at this time because of the active ongoing investigation. He did say that several people witnessed the shooting; no one else was wounded.
Webster County Coroner Scott Dean said an autopsy was to be performed at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl.
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Oats bound over
to grand jury
Justice Court Judge Rebecca Ellison set bond at $500,000 for Oats during an initial appearance Sunday. However, the Eupora man has a “hold” from Clay County on a charge of felony kidnapping and remains in the Webster County Jail. As of Monday, Caradine said he did not know specifics of the allegations in the kidnapping case.
Oats waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday morning before Ellison, who bound him over to await grand jury action according to Caradine. Oats is represented by attorney Danielle Banks.
Second-degree murder is defined as an intentional killing that was not premeditated. In Mississippi, second-degree murder carries a minimum penalty of 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and a maximum penalty of 40 years.
Caradine extended thanks to all surrounding agencies that assisted with the incident. Anyone who has additional information is asked to call the Eupora Police Department at 662-258-4121.
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Gaston Remembered
Gaston was a 2010 honor graduate of Eupora High School who held eight state records for powerlifting. He went on to earn bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees before graduating from William Carey University on May 13 with a doctorate in education. He was also a veteran, according to social media posts.
Gaston was employed as counselor at Winona Secondary School. Dr. Teresa Jackson, superintendent of the Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District, shared news of his death on the district’s website Sunday. She wrote, in part:
“In his first year at Winona Secondary, Dr. Gaston quickly became part of the WSS family as he served both students and staff well. To our students, he was an outstanding school counselor and educational leader. To staff, he was a respected colleague and friend.
“We are proud to have known Dr. Gaston and will miss him more than words can express.”
The EPD, in its statement, said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all that have been affected by this fatal shooting.”
A candlelight ceremony/balloon release was to be held in Gaston’s honor at Westwood in Eupora on Tuesday.
