Area officials investigate shooting death

Published 7:07 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Chief Deputy Derrick Cubit with the Copiah County Sheriff’s Department said today that the department is investigating the shooting death of 38-year-old Monticello resident Nakissa Benson.

The person of interest in the case is Christopher Michael Smith, 38, of Lawrence County. Police are looking for Smith for questioning. Cubit said Smith is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. He may be driving a black sedan with chrome wheels.

Cubit said the sheriff’s office received a call around 5:30 Tuesday reporting that there was a body lying in a field on Monticello Road in Copiah County.

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When officers arrived, they found a black 2008 Pontiac stopped in the roadway with the driver’s side door open, Cubit said. There appeared to be gunshots in the driver’s side door, and in the field along the wood line a woman’s body was found in close proximity to the vehicle.

Cubit said there was no tag information on Smith’s car at this time.

“We are asking anyone with any information to contact their local law enforcement, or Crime Stoppers,” he said.

Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-888-8-CRIMES,(1-888-827-4637). Persons with information may also contact Copiah County Sheriff’s Department at (601)894-3011.