Indianola, MS—Damian Ross, 28 yoa of Indianola pled guilty to Attempted Murder charges arising out of a shooting at Johnny Mack’s store on August 8, 2021 in Indianolam MS.
Testimony at the trial would have revealed that on August 8, 2021 officers of the Indianola Police Department responded to Johnny Mack’s store at the intersection of Garrard Road and Curtis Street where a 13-year-old juvenile was shot. Witnesses identified Damian Ross as the man that shot into the victim’s vehicle.
The 13-year-old victim was rushed to Sunflower County Emergency Room due to him suffering a gunshot wound to his neck area. Due to his critical state he was flown to University of MS Medical Center. Fortunately, the victim survived the shooting and did not succumb to his injuries.
Witnesses identified Damian Ross as being the man who shot multiple times into the victim’s vehicle striking the victim in his neck area. Officers recovered shell casings from the scene and video surveillance which showed what appeared to show a drum clip extender on the firearm used by Ross.
The crime of Attempted Murder carries a sentence of 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections or the Jury could give a Life sentence.
In addition to admitting his guilt in the August 8, 2021 shooting, Damian Ross also pled guilty to his involvement in the September 26, 2022 shooting in Moorhead, MS. Ross admitted his involvement in the shooting that took place at Moorhead City Park whereas two other victims were also shot. Officers with the Moorhead Police Department were able to locate the vehicle the suspects used during the shooting.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Takiyah Perkins. “Gun violence is a plague that is haunting our community, and it will not be tolerated. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to working hand in hand with law enforcement and citizens to prosecute these crimes; enough is enough,” Perkins added.
Fourth Circuit Court Senior Judge Ashley Hines sentenced Damian Ross to serve twenty (20) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for each of the crimes of Attempted Murder. He must serve each day of the sentence and he is not eligible for early release or parole.
The Office of the District Attorney extends its appreciation for the work of former and current investigators and officers of the Indianola Police Department and Moorhead Police Department who investigated these cases. “Justice in these cases would not have been possible without the Sunflower County community members being bold enough to come forward and give statements about what happened and what they saw,” said Richardson.