On the evening of June 26, 2026, in Columbia, Mississippi, 32-year-old Jessica Ruby tragically lost her life to gun violence. Law enforcement responded to a call at 8:41 p.m. regarding a female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the area of the Mississippi 35 Bypass near Jones Lane. Paramedics treated Jessica at the scene before she was transported to Marion General Hospital, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The incident prompted an intensive investigation and a manhunt for the person responsible.
Following an investigation that continued into the early morning hours, authorities arrested 89-year-old Raymond Johnson of Foxworth around 3 a.m. on Saturday. Johnson was subsequently charged with the first-degree murder of Jessica Ruby. The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Marion County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Columbia Police Department, the Columbia Fire Department, AAA Ambulance Service, the Hattiesburg Police Department Crime Scene Unit, and the county coroner.
During his initial court appearance, Raymond Johnson's bond was set at $1 million by Judge Gwen Broom. Family members of Johnson were present and inquired about the possibility of him being released on bond. As of the Monday following the incident, Johnson remained in custody at the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility. The case against him is pending, with the community awaiting further developments in the legal proceedings to bring closure to the untimely death of Jessica Ruby.
