Murder arrests made in Sicily Island shooting

Published 12:02 am Wednesday, June 29, 2016

SICILY ISLAND — Three arrests have been made in the shooting death of a Sicily Island barber earlier this month.

Multiple assailants reportedly killed George Harris, 43, at a home on Second Street where Harris operated a hair-cutting business.

Catahoula Parish Sheriff James Kelly said DeQuan Thomas, 24, and Perry Gibson, 34, both of Jonesville, were charged with first-degree murder. April Simmonds, 30, of Jonesville, was charged with accessory after the fact. Kelly was not able to provide addresses.

Email newsletter signup

Thomas was arrested Saturday night during a traffic stop, Kelly said, and the attorney of Gibson and Simmonds turned them in Monday.

Kelly said neighbors and family members of Harris were interviewed following the incident and he said investigators suspected someone else was wounded at the scene. Working with Natchez Police Department, Kelly said Gibson was allegedly checked in at Merit Hospital in Natchez and later transferred to Jackson for gunshot wounds.

Kelly said he does not have exact details on how Gibson was reportedly shot. The sheriff said when deputies found Harris’ body, no gun was found on it, but other personal items were still in his possession, indicated the shooting was not related to a robbery.

A bond has not been set for Gibson and Thomas. Simmonds was booked on a $15,000 bond.