Victim in Myrtle shooting dies, case becomes a murder investigation

A shooting near Myrtle shortly after 10 a.m. Friday, Dec 17, has resulted in a murder charge against Shanita Conner, age 49.

According to Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards, Conner herself called 911 at 10:30 a.m. and reported she had shot somebody.

Deputies arriving at the scene at a house near the Sunshine Inn Assisted Living facility east of Myrtle on Highway 178 found Paul Baldwin Duke, age 32 of Tupelo, had been shot in the head.

Baldwin was transported to The Med in Memphis, but died later in the day. He was an organ donor.

The sheriff said Shanita Conner is believed to have shot Duke with a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver. Duke apparently arrived at the house and got into an argument with Shanita Conner’s husband, Jessie Lee Conner, age 31.

Jessie Lee Conner had fled the scene when deputies arrived, but was later taken into custody on Beulah Road near the Tippah County line. Jessie Lee Conner was arrested on a previously unserved warrant resulting from his indictment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In addition to the murder charge, Shanita Conner has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The investigation continues.