JDC murder suspect captured in Hattiesburg

Published 12:14 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2019

On Nov. 20, the sound of multiple gunshots in the Prentiss Post Office area was reported to local law enforcement officers.

Prentiss Police Officers were dispatched to the area to investivgate.

Detective Richard Browning was advised of a gunshot victim that had been transported to the emergency room.

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The victim was identified as Carlos Taylor.

Taylor had been shot multiple times in the chest, side and neck.

According to authorities, he was mortally wounded, but able to talk at the emergency room.

Browning obtained from Taylor his account of what occured during the shooting on Tyrone Drive.

He died from his injuries a short time later.

“Anytime you catch a case like this as an investigator, you want to represent the family of the victim and assure justice is served, said Browning.”

“Carlos was a fighter and I commend the medical staff for their valiant effort.”

Desmond Fortenberry, 27, of  580 Zion Hill Church Road, was identified as the shooter early in the case and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Browning, working with the Forrest County Swat Team made several attemtps to get Fortenberry in custody.

Because of their efforts, the search was narrowed to a general vicinity within Forrest and Lamar counties.

Fortenberry was taken into custody by Lamar County authorities and Browning the morning of Nov. 23, at the 100 block of West Hills Road in Hattiesburg.

“I would like to thank the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, Hattiesburg Police Department and Forrest County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.”

“All agencies who were involved were outstanding.”

“Obviously there are things about the investigation that we are not releasing. But rest assured, the streets are safer with Fortenberry’s arrest.”