Five more arrests made in Jefferson County high-speed chase

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, March 7, 2012

FAYETTE — Five more suspects were arrested Monday in connection with a high-speed car chase in Jefferson County that ended Sunday with shots fired at sheriff’s deputies.

The only person who didn’t try to flee Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies, Christopher Morgan, 24, 2121 Main St., Fayette, was arrested at the scene early Sunday morning and charged with possession of marijuana and intent to sell, Jefferson County Sheriff Peter Walker said.

Walker said the chase involved two separate deputy vehicles pursuing an SUV that was driving erratically in excess of 100 miles per hour on Mississippi 28.

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Two Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies were unharmed after being shot at while they spoke to Morgan on the scene.

The chase began after deputies tried to stop the SUV, which reportedly contained someone who might have been involved in a previous shooting at a nightclub, Walker said.

Walker said deputies learned Monday the men in the car were at the train station in Brookhaven.

“They were trying to get out of town,” Walker said.

When deputies, aided by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, approached the train station, a car containing the suspects left the train station, Walker said.

In an effort to stop the car of suspects, Lincoln County deputies shut down the junction of Mississippi 51 and Mississippi 550.

Authorities were then able to stop the car they were pursuing and arrested Travis Barnes, 25, 3343 Stampley Road; Demetriah Barnes, 25, of the same address; Yolanda Barnes, 33, 129 Barnes Lane, Union Church; Paris Ward, 23, 3331 Stampley Road; and William Gaines, 22, 108 N. 16th St., Battle Creek, Mich.

“We believe all three males were involved in the shooting,” Walker said.

Travis Barnes, Ward and Gaines were charged with shooting into a vehicle, and Demetriah Barnes and Yolanda Barnes were arrested for aiding and abetting.

Travis Barnes, who Walker said his office believes was the driver during the high-speed chase, was also charged with felony fleeing.

Additionally, authorities discovered marijuana in the car and crack cocaine on Gaines, Walker said. He said the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics is handling the drug charges of Monday’s stop since the stop occurred in Lincoln County.