Jones County, MS (BuzzReport) — A 21-year-old man arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Ellisville was found dead inside the Jones County Adult Detention Center just hours after being taken into custody early Monday morning, prompting a state-level investigation.
Authorities identified the suspect as Nehemiah Rice, of Braddock, Pennsylvania. Rice was booked into the detention center at approximately 1:33 a.m. on March 16, 2026, following his arrest by the Ellisville Police Department on a murder charge tied to a fatal shooting at a local hotel.
According to investigators, officers were dispatched to the Millennium Inn in Ellisville around 11:37 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered 31-year-old Henry Hamilton Jr., of Bay Springs, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest near the motel’s front entrance. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings indicate the shooting may have been captured on surveillance footage. Authorities say the video shows Hamilton walking toward the entrance when a man, believed to be Rice, rounds a corner and fires multiple shots. After the shooting, the suspect is seen briefly approaching another hotel guest before fleeing the area.
Rice was located and arrested less than 15 minutes later at a nearby Clark’s Gas Station, around 11:48 p.m. Witnesses told investigators that Rice had been in the area for work and that there appeared to be no known relationship between him and the victim. Officials have not yet disclosed a possible motive.
However, the case took a dramatic turn after Rice was transported to the Jones County jail.
In a statement released by Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin, officials outlined a brief but critical timeline of events leading up to Rice’s death while in custody:
- Between 2:48 a.m. and 2:58 a.m., Rice was interviewed by an Ellisville Police investigator and then returned to his cell.
- At approximately 3:21 a.m., Rice was found unresponsive during a check by corrections staff.
- Jail personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures, including CPR and the administration of nasal Narcan, while awaiting emergency medical responders.
- Around 3:45 a.m., Rice was transported by ambulance to South Central Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Officials confirmed that Rice had been in custody for less than two hours when he was discovered unresponsive.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been requested to conduct an independent inquiry into the in-custody death, which is standard protocol in such cases. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings regarding the cause of death.
An autopsy is scheduled to be performed to determine exactly what led to Rice’s sudden death. Investigators have not indicated whether foul play, a medical emergency, or other factors are suspected.
Meanwhile, the homicide investigation into the death of Henry Hamilton Jr. remains ongoing. With the primary suspect now deceased, authorities have not yet clarified how the case will proceed or whether additional individuals could face charges.
Officials say more information will be released as both investigations continue.