The Simpson County Sheriff's Office responded to an incident on February 13 that led to the arrest of four suspects.
Dakarri Lee, Cameron Floyd, Alvonte Brown, and Kantada Rogers were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, grand larceny, and possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.
Investigators identified the victim in this case as Ross McInnis. According to investigators McInnis attempted to purchase an iPad from Kantada Rogers for $500. When he entered her home on Berry Lott Road to purchase the item he was ambushed by the other three suspects with firearms. Guns were placed at the back of his head. The suspects beat and robbed McInnis, according to investigators. While McInnis was down, he saw the back door of the property was open, and he made a break to try to escape. McInnis was chased out of the back door by the suspects and as he made his way to the tree line they opened fire. Investigators said McInnis was struck in the back by a bullet and collapsed for a moment before he was able to continue running and eventually get help from a nearby residence.
The suspects were arrested shortly after leaving the home, and deputies seized three 9mm pistols, marijuana, alleged methamphetamine, scales, and $7,288 in cash. Most of the money was stolen from McInnis.
Juanita Barnes is the mother of Ross McInnis. She said, “They beat my baby, and when he ran for his life they shot him in the back.”
She said McInnis was shot in the center of his back, but the bullet settled in his left shoulder. Doctors told him how lucky he was, and that things were only inches from being worse. Barnes said the incident happened five minutes from her home. McInnis is still recovering from his injuries.
She said, “They were going to kill him, and I feel like they have done this before. They hit him in the face, back of the head, and everywhere with guns. He knew he was going to die, and he told them to take whatever they want just don’t kill him. I know God was taking care of my baby because I could be burying him today.”
Barnes explained that her son knew most of the people involved from time spent in school. Concerning the suspects she said, “I know they came from good families, and they were brought up good. But they made some bad choices and justice needs to be done.”
Barnes was emotional as she called for black kids to stop hurting and killing one another. She called for parents and mentors to help reach young men in the community and inspire them to make better choices.
Barnes said, “God wasn’t ready for my child, but it could have been your child or someone else’s child. We’re losing so many of our black kids to prison and to the grave. It’s up to us to save our kids and set them in the right direction.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
