Douglas released from jail in Brandon shooting

A Vicksburg man charged with first degree murder in a Brandon shooting has been released from jail.

DeShawn Douglas, 18, and Christopher Miln, 54, were involved in an argument police say was over a property dispute. On a video captured by a neighbor, Douglas and Miln argued, then the dispute became physical. At one point, Miln appears to have spit at Douglas. The video ends before the shooting.

Miln was shot at least four times and died later of his wounds.

Douglas left the scene and was arrested without incident after a short search. He was later charged with first degree murder and denied bond.

His attorney, Scott Gilbert, claimed in a statement that Douglas acted in self-defense.

“Shawn and his family had been victimized by Miln’s threats of violence for months,” Gilbert wrote Dec. 31. “These threats were not only directed at Shawn, but at his 13-year-old baby brother.”

Monday, Gilbert released a second statement to announce Douglas had been released from jail, WAPT reports.

“Late this afternoon Shawn Douglas was released from jail and is now home with his family,” Gilbert wrote. “We will continue to investigate the case and we look forward to bringing the case to a favorable resolution in the near future. There are no further court appearances scheduled, and neither Shawn nor his family will be making any statements. Shawn and his family are grateful for all of the well-wishes, thoughts and prayers, and they ask for privacy as they try to return to a normal routine.”

It is not clear whether charges against Douglas have been dropped or reduced, and whether Douglas was released on bond. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, based on Gilbert’s first statement.

“We are confident that once all the facts are known, everyone will agree that Shawn is not a danger to the community and that he should be released from custody while the investigation runs its course,” Gilbert wrote in that statement.

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office did not provide any further details when reached by phone Monday evening.

The Vicksburg Daily News will update this story as more information becomes available.

Correction: This story originally said the hearing occurred Monday. It was scheduled for Tuesday, not Monday.