Sheriff’s Department working shooting and drowning deaths
Published 7:00 am Saturday, June 20, 2015
A Picayune man is in custody after a shooting took the life of another late Thursday night. Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department investigators also worked an apparent accidental drowning that same morning.
Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the department received a call regarding the shooting at 10:12 p.m., which took place at 114 Richardson, Rd. in Picayune.
While deputies were en route to the scene, dispatchers were told who the alleged shooter was during the 911 call, Tucker said.
The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Darrin K. Galmiche of 114 A Richardson Rd., Tucker said.
At this point, it appears there was some animosity between Galmiche and the victim, Tucker said. However, at this time, the department does not know the cause of the disagreement, Tucker said.
According to witness reports, the victim, his fiancé and her two-year-old child arrived at their home at 114 B Richardson Rd., Tucker said. Galmiche allegedly came out of his home very angry, making verbal threats against the victim, Tucker said.
Galmiche then produced a rifle and fired multiple shots at the victim, striking him with one or more rounds, Tucker said.
The victim was transported to Highland Community Hospital where he was later pronounced, Tucker said.
Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage identified the victim as 21-year-old Dalton O’Meara, who died as a result of injuries sustained from multiple gunshot wounds. A full autopsy will be performed at the Mississippi State Examiner’s office, Turnage said.
Galmiche was taken into custody at the scene and was charged with murder, Tucker said. No bond has been set at this time.
In another matter, investigators located a missing person early Thursday morning.
On June 17 at 9:28 p.m., Tucker said the department received a missing person report from the boyfriend of the missing woman.
According to the report, the boyfriend arrived at their Lakeshore Drive home in Lumberton at around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Tucker said. He then went to Lake Hillsdale for a swim and saw some of her belongings by the lake and saw the raft she uses across the lake, Tucker said.
After a search of the area, which included their home and neighbors’ homes, the complainant contacted the sheriff’s department to report her missing, Tucker said.
Deputies and investigators with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, volunteer firefighters and agents with Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries responded to the call and began searching the area, Tucker said.
Investigators were able to obtain information from her cell phone to determine if she was in the area, Tucker said. However, there was noted activity from the device and no evidence to indicate she had left the area, Tucker said. Emergency responders then focused their attention on the lake, utilizing boats and lights, Tucker said.
Shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday morning, she was located in the lake, deceased, Tucker said.
Turnage identified the victim as Melissa Trussell, who appears to be about 45-years-old. The preliminary cause of death appears to be freshwater drowning, Turnage said.
“Right now there is no evidence to indicate foul play,” Tucker said. “At this time, it appears to be a tragic accident.”