Family Still Reeling from Mid Day Break-In Where Family Pet was Murdered

VICKSBURG, MS – On Sunday, July 28th, mid day around the time church is letting out, a family on East Avenue were victims of a break-in and their family dog, Jake, was shot twice with a .22 pistol. Jake died the next day.

A weapon was stolen from the home and recovered the next day in Texas, after a police chase that included the suspects and law enforcement trading gunfire. Two of those suspects are from Vicksburg.

According to Smith County Sheriff’s Department PIO Sgt. Larry Christian reporting to KLTV, the pursuit began in Harrison County when a vehicle believed to have been stolen in Mississippi fled officials. The pursuit led through Gregg County, Christian said, before Smith County law enforcement picked it up around 9 a.m. The vehicle fled west on Interstate 20 until exiting onto Jim Hogg road, where Christian said the occupants opened fire on the pursuing deputies.

No law enforcement was injured but the driver of the vehicle was transported to an area hospital. It was later revealed the driver had a gunshot wound to the leg.

The Family

Heather and Jamie Ray along with their 10-year-old son are dealing with the aftermath. Since the break-in and murder of Jake, they have spent several thousand dollars on a high-end security system.

“Jake wasn’t just a dog, he was my baby,” said Heather via a text message. “My heart is still completely broken, and I’ll never get that piece of my heart back because of the (thieves) in Vicksburg.”

Heather went on to express her frustration and pain by addressing those who say, “Vicksburg is safe, when it is NOT, I don’t even feel safe at my own home even with the security system, they took my Jake baby from me, and I feel so violated and the fact that a gun was shot in my house is just sickening.”

Heather added, “And my 10-year-old son saw the blood everywhere at the door and saw his dog with a gunshot to the head, no kid should ever have to come home to something like this or see something this, it’s just absolutely awful.”

Her frustration also spreads to the response from the VPD and how she feels about their response, “We are victims of a burglary, which the (thief) stole our gun and ammo then KILLED MY DOG and I get they may not have information, but I feel as if they could try a little harder, that is just how my broken heart feels. I just want a confession.”

The VPD

VPD Chief Penny Jones responded to the Vicksburg Daily News after repeated requests for information through normal channels were not properly answered.

“First, let me say these are people of interest in these crimes. We have not interviewed them so we can’t say they are involved or not. The crimes they committed in Texas involve shooting at police officers and are very serious,” explained Jones. “That’s not to say that what they’ve allegedly done here is not serious, but we can’t talk to them until Texas allows us to do so. We are at the mercy of that agency. They don’t have to tell us anything, all they have to tell us is, hey, we’re done with the conversation, do y’all want to come down and talk with them?”

Even after Investigators speak with the suspects, the suspects will likely remain in Texas due to the serious nature of their crimes there. Chief Jones went on to add that Chief Hill with the VPD has been in regular contact with Jamie Ray and today they spoke to Heather Ray about the incident.

“That family is experiencing what any family would after an event like that. They are traumatized, scared, heartbroken and rightly so,” said Chief Jones.