Murder suspect Clayton remains at large

Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, October 2, 2019

A Vicksburg man wanted in connection with the Sept. 21 shooting death of a man on Fayette Street remains on the lam.

Vicksburg police are continuing their search for Eric Clayton, who remains at large. A warrant has been issued for Clayton’s arrest, charging him with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Dematric Lamar Clark.

Two men, Demarcus James Qualls, 163 Kidd Lane, and Elijah Eugene Qualls Jr., 20, 60 Smallwood Drive, were arrested by police in connection with Clark’s death. Both are being held in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond each, charged with second-degree murder in the case.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

The men are also each charged with possession of a weapon after felony conviction.

Elijah Qualls Jr. also faces a charge of aggravated assault in a June 22 shooting of a man on Mississippi 27 south of Beechwood Elementary School that occurred in Warren County.

Clark, 36, was shot about 12:51 a.m. on Sept. 21.

Police believe Demarcus and Elijah Qualls and Clayton were shooting at an unknown person on Fayette Street, and Clark was an innocent bystander.

Officers responding to a report of shots fired in the 1100 block of Fayette Street with one person shot arrived to find Clark lying in the street in the 1200 block of Fayette with a gunshot wound to the head.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey pronounced him dead at the scene. Clark’s death is the second reported homicide of 2019.

Services for Clark are Thursday at 1 p.m. at House of Peace Worship Church with pastor Linda Sweezer officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John