Contact: Maridith Geuder
Mississippi State University has announced an arrest in the weekend slaying of MSU student John Sanderson.
Mason Perry Jones, 21, of Jackson, was arrested in DeSoto County today [March 26] on capital murder charges, said Police Chief Georgia Lindley.
"Our detectives have done outstanding investigative work over the past 48 hours, with tremendous assistance from the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, as well as Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Starkville Police, and Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office," she said. "We appreciate the hard work and cooperation of all involved."
Jones is one of three suspects in the weekend slaying of Sanderson, 21, who was shot on campus in Evans Hall. The investigation is continuing, Lindley said.
Jones was arrested in Memphis Sunday by the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force on an unrelated warrant and today was charged by MSU Police with capital murder. Circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being investigated.
"We are extremely proud of the diligence shown by our police officers, who have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism during the investigation of this tragic death," said MSU President Mark Keenum.
"We work very hard to ensure the safety of our students, and we are all saddened that this isolated event has brought tragedy to our campus and to a family who is grieving the loss of a loved one," he said.
Keenum also credited the work of the university's Crisis Action Team for coordinating response to the incident. "They also worked throughout the weekend to ensure that our campus was informed and updated as events unfolded," he said.