By John Howell
Panola County authorities late this week continued to interview possible witnesses in the Saturday Sept. 20 shooting that killed Quendez Robinson and Roderick Scurlock.

Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby said the investigation indicates a shootout between members of rival gangs.

“This is gang stuff,” Darby said. It involved “a whole lot of people; a lot of people saw what was going on.”

Yet no one wants to talk.

Investigators Barry Thompson and Edward Dickson have interviewed several dozen potential witnesses and then re-interviewed them when stories are at odds with known facts.

The shooting broke out about 12:40 a.m. at a party at Hilltop store at the intersection of Macedonia and Curtis Roads. Authorities estimate that from 30 to 50 people were present when shooting broke out.
A witness who went to the scene after hearing the shots said there were 30 to 35 vehicles, most hurriedly leaving as he neared the scene.

The witness estimated that he heard as many as 30 shots.

“I would imagine there are some holes in some cars,” the sheriff said.

Investigators found spent shell casings in two areas outside the store. Casings for a .223 caliber weapon and a .40 caliber weapon were found near a house located behind the store.

In another area 9 mm casings were found, along with one additional caliber for a handgun, Darby said.
Shooting victim Scurlock had been identified, during the trials following the January 2012 shooting death of Jeremy Wright on Vance Street in Batesvile, as a member of the Gangsta Disciples.