NATCHEZ — Natchez police were searching Tuesday night for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on North Rankin Street.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said he pronounced the victim, James Henry Williams, 54, dead at 8:03 p.m.

The cause of death, Lee said, appeared to be at least one gunshot wound.

“The autopsy will tell us more,” Lee said.

Police Chief Walter Armstrong said Natchez police officers are investigating the shooting as a murder.

“The victim’s brother and the suspect (another person) were apparently arguing,” Armstrong said. “They were in a heated argument over something and it escalated to the suspect shooting the victim.”

Armstrong said police were searching late Tuesday for the suspect Arthur Lee Moore, 43, of last known address 144 N. Shields Lane No. A8.

“An arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of Arthur Moore,” Armstrong said. ‘Anyone seeing this subject or knows the whereabouts is encouraged to call the local law enforcement agency. Arthur Moore should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone found to be aiding in the hiding of Arthur Moore may be subject to additional charges.”.

Lee said he was saddened by the city’s first murder of the year.

“I hope we don’t repeat last year’s murder count,” Lee said, referring to last year’s 14 murders in Natchez and Adams County. “Everyone I know is reaching out to prevent these shootings. I’m so saddened for the family.”

Williams was a self-taught primitive artist active in Arts Natchez.