A Lowndes County man is behind bars after allegedly shooting another man over a dog.
According to a news release from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle after a man presented to the emergency room on Saturday with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Witnesses told investigators Randy Gunter, 45, was responsible and the shooting took place on Swartz Drive in northern Lowndes County.
After exiting surgery, the victim told detectives that Gunter was the shooter. The two men knew each other and argued over buying a dog, the statement said.
The statement said Gunter was arrested 49 times for misdemeanors and 38 times for felonies, including aggravated assault, violation of probation, felony flight or escape, selling cocaine, intimidation of a witness, selling of a controlled substance and possession of cocaine.
Because Gunter allegedly tried to run away from officers in the past, deputies arrested him Tuesday morning when he went to the Mississippi Department of Corrections office to check in for probation.
Gunter was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon or other means of causing death.
Detectives work to find additional witnesses and evidence related to the shooting. Anyone with knowledge of this case is asked to contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151. Tips can also be submitted through the P3 smartphone app.
Tips are always anonymous and tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a cash reward.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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