Authorities Say 9 Year Old Witnessed His Father’s Murder At Union County Residence

UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Authorities say an argument over a car led to the fatal shooting of a Union County man Saturday evening, as the victim’s child watched everything unfold.

Larry Walker, 27, was led into the courtroom for his initial appearance, less than 48 hours after the shooting.

“He has been charged with murder, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of stolen firearm and felony child endangerment,” said Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards.

Judge David Garrison set a one million dollar bond for the first degree murder charge.   The Sheriff says Saturday evening’s shooting began with an argument in the yard of a trailer on County Road 92.  Authorities say Walker and his girlfriend, Nicole Vanvranken, 28, lived together in the mobile home, and had a car belonging to Walker’s stepdad.

“They went over there to retrieve their car,” Edwards said.

Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards says the suspect, Jimmy Walker was standing in the yard arguing with his stepdad, Leon Lewis,  who was sitting inside of a car when shots rang out.  Sitting right behind Lewis, his 9-year-old son, who saw everything.

“Thankfully we had witnesses there who were cooperative,” Sheriff Edwards said.

Walker was taken into custody at the scene, along with his girlfriend. She is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, accessory after the fact and possession of marijuana.

Sheriff Edwards says his investigators will work with the District Attorney and Child Protective Services to see when they could interview the 9 year old who saw his Dad gunned down.

Walker was also wanted by MDOC for parole violation and an armed robbery out of Sunflower County.