Argument between Vicksburg brothers takes a deadly turn

An argument between two brothers has left one shot and wounded and the other dead.

Vicksburg Police were called to a disturbance at 1200 Second North Street at the intersection of Bodley Street around 8 p.m. Thursday, where two brothers, Ed and Jeffrey Watts, were involved in an argument. Both were drinking and intoxicated. Ed Watts, 61, fell as police were attempting to separate the brothers. He was transported to Merit Health River Region where he was examined and released.

At around 1:30 a.m. Friday, officers were again dispatched to the same address for another disturbance, this time with shots fired. When police arrived, they found Ed Watts had suffered a gunshot wound to his foot. This was the same man who had been transported to Merit Health earlier in the evening. Watts had limped across the street after being shot by his brother, Jeffrey Watts, 58, and called police.

As the officers approached the residence, they could see flames through the windows. Unable to enter through the front door, officers kicked in the back door attempting to rescue Jeffery Watts. They then heard three shots, and the officers assumed Watts was firing at them. At this point, the watch commander told his officers to stand down and he summoned the fire department.

The wood-frame structure was quickly engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze until almost daylight. The adjacent homes were temporarily evacuated for safety reasons while firefighters battled the fire.

Around 5 a.m., Jeffery Watts’ body was recovered from the house. Vicksburg Police Chief Milton Moore said he had one self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

“We were unable to save Jeffrey Watts,” Moore said later.

Vicksburg firefighters on the scene on Second North Street early Friday morning. (Photo by Thomas Parker)

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey said the remains have been sent to the Mississippi Forensics Lab in Pearl for autopsy and identification purposes.

Multiple Vicksburg Police units responded to the scene. Vicksburg Fire Chief Craig Danczyk, Deputy Chief Trey Martin, along with Engine 6, Platform 1, Ladder 3, Rescue, Battalion 1 and Fire Medic 40 all responded.

The incident is being investigated by police and fire authorities. Fire Investigator Leslie Sanders is leading the investigation on behalf of the Vicksburg Fire Department. Deputy Fire Marshall Kayla Riggs is investigating on behalf of the Mississippi Fire Marshal’s Office, and Sgt. Curtis Judge is heading up the investigation on behalf of the Vicksburg Police Department.

Watch our on-the-scene live video of Chief Moore’s press conference. Also, see our live coverage of the scene earlier this morning on our Facebook page.

Ronni Mott contributed to this story.