On the evening of April 13, 2019, a violent tragedy unfolded at a residence on Herrin Road in Lumberton, Mississippi, claiming the life of 47-year-old Black male James Edward Herrin Jr. Born in Hattiesburg and raised in the local community, James was known for his love of the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, and had spent years working in logging and construction. He was a skilled carpenter who enjoyed creating intricate wood carvings and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. On that fateful Saturday night, law enforcement officers were dispatched to his home following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, deputies from the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department discovered a chaotic scene. James had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the location. Another individual present at the scene, identified as his girlfriend April Robb, had also been struck by gunfire. She sustained multiple wounds but survived the attack and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Witnesses at the scene provided crucial information to the deputies, identifying the shooter and describing the vehicle he used to flee the premises.
The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Norman Andrew "Andy" Whiddon Jr. of Purvis, Mississippi. He had fled the scene in a gray Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, prompting an immediate search by local authorities. A deputy spotted the vehicle on Yawn School Road and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Whiddon refused to pull over, sparking a high-speed pursuit. The chase continued north on Highway 11 toward Purvis, eventually looping back as Whiddon drove aggressively to evade capture. The pursuit ended violently when Whiddon’s truck collided head-on with a Purvis police cruiser. The impact caused minor injuries to both Whiddon and the officer involved.
Following the crash, Whiddon was taken into custody and treated at a local hospital before being booked into the Lamar County Jail. Investigators recovered multiple weapons from his vehicle. He was subsequently indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and felony fleeing.
The legal proceedings against Whiddon concluded with a trial in the Lamar County Circuit Court. A jury found him guilty on all counts. The court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment for the murder of James Edward Herrin Jr. Additionally, Whiddon received concurrent sentences of twenty years for the assault on the female victim, thirty years for the assault on the police officer, and five years for fleeing law enforcement. He was also ordered to pay significant fines. In April 2024, the Mississippi Court of Appeals reviewed the case and affirmed the convictions and sentences, ensuring that Whiddon would remain in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
