Fugitive sought by BPD

By John Howell
A 16-year-old “person of interest” in the Thursday shooting death of Roary Ledell Thomas on Bradford Street has proven elusive for law enforcement officials.
Authorities have been looking for Cordarius D. Strong, 16, Cedar Crest Drive, Batesville, since Thursday. District Attorney John Champion said family members had been cooperating to help locate Strong but he remains at large. He is described in police reports as slightly built at 5’ 3” in height and 153 pounds.
Thomas died in a parked car off  Bradford Street near a home from a gunshot or shots from a handgun, Champion said. Panola County Coroner Gracie Grant Gulledge declared Thomas dead at 2:20 p.m., shortly after police received a report of the shooting at 2:08 p.m.
Champion said that Nakia Lamar, 18, address unknown, was arrested Thursday night and charged with capital murder in Thomas’ death.
People in the area heard shots and provided officers with information that allowed them to quickly identify persons of interests.
Batesville Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said that he had met Monday morning with U.S. Marshals “just in case he’s left the area.” McCloud said family members are still trying to assist in convincing Strong to “come in.”
Anyone with information about his location is urged to contact the Batesville Police Department, 662-563-5653; the Panola County Sheriff’s Department at 662-563-6230, or Crimestoppers at 800-729-2169.
The person who provides the information does not have to give his or her identity