Murder/Suicide originated with 2014 incident in Milan

Christopher Byron Armstrong circa December 2014

Jackson murder/suicide originated with attempted burglary in Milan

By Victor Parkins and Logan Watson

Jackson Police are wrapping up an investigation after two people were shot and killed Thursday morning at a Bemis home.
Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser said the incident happened just before 7 a.m. this morning at 421 South Massachusetts Street.
Chief Wiser believes one of the people shot at the home is the victim and the other is the suspect in the investigation. He doesn’t believe anyone else is involved and thinks his officers have the case locked up.
“We have two individuals that have been shot,” Wiser said. “We’re not currently looking for any other suspects. We want to assure the public that there’s nobody out here running at large.”
The two people have not been identified and officials are not releasing names at this time.

The Mirror-Exchange has learned, however, that is case originated with an attempted burglary in Milan back in December of 2014.
Just days before Christmas, Christopher Byron Armstrong, of Milan, attempted to rob a then-unnamed woman in a parking lot on South Main Street in Milan. Armstrong, armed with a very realistic-looking BB gun, pointed the weapon at the woman and demanded that she roll down her window.
The woman, whom we have now identified as Velma Paulette Garret, was on her cell phone at the time and refused to roll down her window, informing Armstrong that the police had been contacted. Armstrong panicked and fled the scene, but was later apprehended by Milan police officers. Investigators also found the BB gun and the black hoodie that Armstrong was wearing at the time of the attempted burglary.
Armstrong was charged with Aggravated Assault and Attempted Burglary, but was freed on a $50,000 bond. His trial was scheduled to begin today in Trenton.
Authorities have yet to make an official comment on the link between the two crimes, but the Mirror-Exchange will bring you more information as it is made public.

The scene of what authorities believe to be a murder/suicide in South Jackson early this morning.