MBI: Jones Co. reserve deputy charged with murder in The Rock Church shooting

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged the Jones County Sheriff’s Department reserve deputy involved in Sunday’s church shooting.

According to MBI, George Ryan Walters has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The sheriff’s department said that Walter turned himself in to authorities Wednesday.

The shooting took place at The Rock Pentecostal Church in Laurel after Walters, a member of the church and its security team, was involved in an altercation with 45-year-old James Corey Donald. Walters was off-duty at the time of the incident.

Walters reportedly shot Donald in the upper torso area, and MBI confirmed he died suffering from his injuries on Monday.

JCSD announced earlier Wednesday that Walters was placed on administrative leave Tuesday pending the outcome of the investigation and said he will remain on leave until the resolution of the charge.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety says MBI is investigating the incident and gathering evidence.

Simpson County District Attorney Chris Hennis has been assigned by Jones County Circuit Judge Dal Williamson to oversee the prosecution of the case, and MBI agents will share their findings with the Simpson County District Attorney’s Office once the investigation is complete.

The sheriff’s department says Walters has been booked into the Jones County Adult Detention Facility as he awaits his initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

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