Henry Hamilton Jr. Death, Killed Outside Motel as Murder Suspect Nehemiah Rice Dies Hours After Arrest Ellisville, Mississippi

Ellisville, Mississippi, experienced a night of tragedy Sunday when a shooting outside the Millennium Inn left one man dead and quickly escalated into further loss. Henry Hamilton Jr., 31, of Bay Springs, was fatally shot near the motel entrance just before midnight and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police apprehended the suspected gunman, 21-year-old Nehemiah Rice, at a nearby gas station minutes later. Rice was taken into custody at the Jones County Adult Detention Center, but was found unresponsive in his cell less than two hours after booking and later pronounced dead at South Central Regional Medical Center.

Authorities are reviewing surveillance video of the incident, which appears to show Rice opening fire on Hamilton. Investigators say there is no known connection between the men and are continuing to examine the events leading up to the shooting.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate Rice’s death, and an autopsy is planned to determine the exact cause.

Henry Hamilton Jr.’s family will release details regarding obituary, memorial services, funeral, and visitation. Pending those announcements, some information in this report may be incomplete, and updates will be provided as new facts emerge.