Video: New Information Released in Deadly Verona Shooting

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By Alyssa Martin

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — Authorities say they’re looking for a 33-year-old man who is a person of interest in a fatal shooting in Verona this weekend.

The Lee County sheriff’s department released new details on the shooting at a press conference, Sunday.

Verona police say they want to talk to Roy Merritt, who was at the scene of the shooting Saturday afternoon.

It was around 1 p.m. when police say a White Hyundai Elantra was parked in the driveway of a house at 165 City Point Road.

A Cream Colored Ford Edge pulled in behind the Hyundai. Authorities say occupants in the Edge left their car, and started arguing with those in the Hyundai. Shots were fired and two people were taken by private cars to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Cornell Weatherspoon was shot once, treated and released.

41-year-old Rodney Lowery was shot multiple times and died at the hospital.

Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says Merritt has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“We have the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Verona Police Department, of course local individuals and the assistance of the US Marshal’s Servce , a federal agency, individuals entered on NCIC, which is a nationwide , individual gets stopped for any particular or questioned, his name comes up and is run through that particular system and it will show he’s a wanted person,” Johnson said.

Sheriff Johnson points out that Merritt may have altered his appearance by shaving since the shooting.

Merritt has been in the Lee County jail 16 times on various charges. Officials say he is considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities have talked to several other people in connection with the case.