In the quiet roads of Attala County, Mississippi, a series of violent events unfolded on March 29, 2026, that ended in the tragic death of 46-year-old Jeffrey Mallet Jr. The day began with the discovery of 67-year-old Tim Lawrence, who was found shot to death in the roadway on Attala Road 1107. Investigators quickly identified 41-year-old Chris Hughes as the suspect in Lawrence's murder.
Following the initial shooting, authorities learned that Hughes had been picked up by someone in a gray GM truck. A short time later, around 3:20 p.m., a second shooting was reported approximately four miles from the first scene. Deputies arrived to find a wrecked gray GM truck on Attala Road 1141. The driver, Jeffrey Mallet Jr., had sustained gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Baptist Attala Hospital for treatment but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
With two men dead, a massive manhunt for Chris Hughes was launched, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Checkpoints were established, and drones, along with a Mississippi Highway Patrol helicopter, were deployed to aid in the search. As the search intensified, reports of more gunfire emerged. Hughes had attempted to force his way into a home through a back door. The homeowner, fearing for their safety, fired a weapon, striking Hughes.
Hughes was transported to Baptist Attala Hospital, the same hospital where his second victim had been taken, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The investigation into the double homicide concluded with the death of the sole suspect, Chris Hughes. The homeowner who shot Hughes was not charged, as the act was determined to be in self-defense. The community was left to mourn the loss of two of its members in a senseless act of violence that spiraled over a few short hours.
