Brutal Rankin County robbery victim dies

Last night, Vicksburg police apprehended a suspect wanted in Rankin County for robbery and assault. We recently learned that the victim, 72-year-old Grady Allen, did not survive the attack.

The robbery

Ricky Morris knew Allen and believed that he carried large amounts of money. According to a law enforcement source with Rankin County, Morris pulled up to Allen’s home and Allen came outside to speak with him. About 30 minutes later, according to the source, Allen’s wife went out to check on her husband and found him lying on the ground severely injured.

Reportedly, Morris hit Allen in the head with a gun. Allen would later die as a result of severe head trauma.

The arrest

Around 8 p.m., radio traffic in Vicksburg included a BOLO for the suspect who was driving a white 2002 Buick Rendevous with tag #RAV 3315.

Just before 10 p.m., Investigator Norman Harris with the Vicksburg Police Department spotted a vehicle matching that description in the right-hand drive-through lane at the McDonald on the North Frontage Road next to Atwood Chevrolet. Investigator Harris called for backup units to trap the vehicle in the drive-through lanes.

Numerous units arrived at the scene within minutes. The Buick Rendevous pulled out of the right lane and attempted to leave the parking lot but was trapped by another unit with the Vicksburg Police Department before it got near the first window.

The suspect was ordered out of the vehicle and onto the ground by, at this point, half a dozen officers along with Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace. He was arrested without incident.

Morris was then transported from Vicksburg to Rankin County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force.

Morris was charged with robbery and aggravated assault. With this latest development, Rankin County DA Bubba Bramlett says he will bring the case before a judge to include a charge of capital murder.

“Sheriff Bailey would like to thank the Vicksburg Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Task Force for their assistance in quickly apprehending Morris,” a statement from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office read.