JACKSON, Miss. – Three Mississippi teens have been arrested and charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a 60-year-old “neighborhood legend” who was working as a security guard at a gas station convenience store.
The homicide victim was identified as 60-year-old Roy Love. He was “just doing his job,” when he was gunned down early Monday, Jackson, Mississippi, Police Chief Joseph Wade said, according to WAPT-TV.
Love was on duty at the M&M Food Mart at about 1:30 a.m. Monday when he told three teenagers to leave the property.
In response, “They attacked him, took his weapon and fired on him with their weapon,” Wade confirmed later in the day. “This was very bold,” the chief noted, referencing surveillance video.
Wade also said, “It was a robbery,” the Clarion-Ledger reported.
“Based on the information we got, they were trying to steal the security guard’s gun, and they succeeded. They got it. And they took his life in the process. Unbelievable,” the chief said.
Police received a tip and searched the area of Woody and Monticello drives, where they arrested three teens. The suspects were identified as Kadaris Cohen, 16, Trent Wooten and Zaylon Norton, both 17.
Wade said that each suspect is charged with capital murder, WLBT-TV reported.
Local residents mourned the death of Love, who was a beloved figure in the community.
“I can’t believe it, man,” Tony Williams said, while noting he spoke to Love hours before he was gunned down, The Western Journal reported.
“He was well known in the neighborhood, a neighborhood legend. He came to work every day. He stayed in the area. All the people know him. [He is] a great guy. It’s mind-blowing. I was just here last night talking to him,” Williams exclaimed.
“We joked, [and] laughed. I just hate to see him gone. He will be missed,” he said.
Mississippi security guard shot, killed.Two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy were charged with capital murder in connection with the incident.
Roy Love, 60, working security at M&M Food Express in Jackson, Mississippi, when he was shot and killed. https://t.co/hIDNqjke5o
— JB (@LurkingEye) July 9, 2024
Jackie Kitchens knew the victim and expressed sorrow over his death.
“This man gets up every day and comes to work, and for them to try and take his little gun from him, that’s just sad,” she said,
“He sees us pull up out here. If it’s women, he’s going to come out here to make sure we’re in there safe and come back to our cars safe,” Kitchens noted.
Bond has been denied for the trio of accused killers, according to the chief.
