Homicides increase in city, county

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Dec. 28, 2003
At least one category of crimes increased this year in both Meridian and Lauderdale County: homicides.
Lauderdale County reported six homicides so far this year compared to none in 2002. All stemmed from the July 8 Lockheed Martin shooting in which a worker killed six fellow employees before taking his own life.
In Meridian, the number of homicides also increased in 2003. So far this year, the city has had nine homicides compared to just two in 2002.
Capt. Jeff Lewis, a 23-year veteran with the Meridian Police Department, said homicides are often crimes of passion and are "nearly impossible to prevent."
Some of the 2003 killings involved domestic disputes, including two that happened earlier this month. Lewis said domestic disputes are another area of crime that increases as the holiday season nears.