Sheriff’s Department makes two arrests in separate homicide cases
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, November 1, 2016
![Richard L. Carver (left) and Amanda L. Guerra Collier (right) were arrested for two separate homicide cases over the weekend.](https://www.picayuneitem.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/10/Carver-CollierNET.jpg)
Richard L. Carver (left) and Amanda L. Guerra Collier (right) were arrested for two separate homicide cases over the weekend.
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department arrested two suspects in separate homicide cases that occurred Saturday night.
Richard L. Carver, 18, of 35 Davis Dawsey Road, is accused of fatally shooting and killing a man Saturday night at his residence after arguing with the victim, Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said.
The victim was identified as Mark Johnson, 39, of Slidell, Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said.
Around 9 p.m., neighbors reported hearing the two arguing inside the household before moving outside to the front of the home, Tucker said.
Several shell casings from one firearm were collected in and around a vehicle parked outside, but witnesses stated two firearms were used during the altercation, Tucker said.
Investigation into the incident shows the victim was inside the vehicle when the first rounds were fired, Tucker said. The victim then exited the vehicle through the passenger side door, at which time more shots were fired, Tucker said.
The victim was found on the ground outside the passenger side of the car where he succumbed to his injuries, Tucker said.
Deputies also located the victim’s girlfriend in the back seat of the vehicle with the doors locked, uninjured, Tucker said.
Witnesses said Carver fled the scene before deputies arrived, Tucker said.
Deputies located Carver Sunday night during a traffic stop on Rock Ranch Road in Picayune, where he was arrested for the slaying. Carver also had warrants out for his arrest for grand larceny and conspiracy to commit a crime, Tucker said.
Johnson’s death is believed to be the result of multiple gunshot wounds but is still under investigation pending an autopsy, Turnage said.
No firearms have been recovered at press time, Tucker said.
In a separate incident, while deputies were responding to the first homicide, they were called to 17 Hunt Road around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday in response to a stabbing, Tucker said.
The victim, identified by Turnage as Robert Michael Ford, 54, of Picayune, was found by neighbors suffering from severe blood loss, Tucker said.
When deputies arrived on scene, Ford was being loaded into an ambulance with an apparent leg wound, Tucker said.
Neighbors wrapped towels around the victim’s leg to try to stop the bleeding, Tucker said.
At that time, Ford identified his alleged attacker as Amanda L. Guerra-Collier, 35, of 198 North Wood Drive, Picayune, Tucker said.
Deputies located Collier at 1711 Highway 11 Apt. 4 that night and was arrested for aggravated assault domestic violence, Tucker said.
Ford died during surgery, leading to Collier’s charge being changed, Tucker said.
The knife suspected to have been used in the stabbing was recovered, Tucker said.
Neither suspect has been before a judge yet, Tucker said.