Escaped Miss. inmate who fatally carjacked pastor believed to be dead following standoff

JACKSON, Miss. (TCD) — A 22-year-old man wanted for escaping from a local jail with three others is believed to be dead following a shootout with law enforcement during a standoff.

On Tuesday, April 25, the Leake County Sheriff’s Office urged locals to be “extremely cautious” because officials had reason to believe escapee Dylan Arrington was in the area. On Wednesday, April 26, the Leake County Sheriff’s Office announced they located Arrington at a residence on Conway Road, and at 7:10 a.m., Arrington shot at Leake County deputies, striking one of them in the lower right leg.

The deputy was transported to a local hospital, where he was stabilized.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the standoff occurred for “roughly two hours before it was resolved.”

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones told WAPT-TV he had a “pretty strong feeling” Arrington was shot and killed while barricading himself inside the residence, but officials still need to positively identify him.

The suspect inside the home set the residence on fire.

According to the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Arrington, Casey Grayson, Corey Harrison, and Jerry Raynes were reported missing from their cells at the Raymond Detention Center on April 23. Officials said they discovered a “breach” in one of the areas and learned that a white Hinds County public works pickup truck had also been stolen.

WLBT-TV reports on Monday, April 24, 61-year-old Anthony Watts, a pastor, pulled over to assist someone who crashed a motorcycle they recently stole. Officials identified the motorcycle thief as Arrington. He allegedly shot and killed Watts as he came to help, then stole Watts’ truck.

The other three suspects remain on the run.