A 17-year-old teenager in Mississippi is accused of breaking into an elderly couple’s home and killing them, leading to a standoff with police. Authorities report that Cordarius Hobbs allegedly entered the Mendenhall home of 74-year-old Billy Blair and his 71-year-old wife Virginia Carol Blair on June 3 and took their lives.
The Simpson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the situation around 12:24 p.m. after family members were unable to contact the couple. Officials stated that deputies encountered gunfire upon their arrival, indicating a burglary was underway. A spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety, Bailey Martin, mentioned that both deputies and civilians found themselves under attack.
The incident escalated when Hobbs initially promised to surrender at the front door but instead fled through the back, prompting a pursuit. During the chase, a deputy sustained gunshot injuries. Law enforcement apprehended Hobbs after he was shot by a Mississippi state trooper and transported to a hospital, where he recovered from non-life-threatening injuries.
Hobbs faces numerous charges, including two counts of capital murder, one count of burglary, and multiple counts of aggravated assault, including assaults involving deadly weapons and on law enforcement officers.
The Blair family expressed their profound sorrow in a Facebook post, stating, “We are crushed in spirit, bruised, and brokenhearted.”
Jason Busby, a family friend, recalled the Blairs’ selfless nature, saying, “The man would’ve given you the shirt off his back, his wife is the same. They’re just great people. It’s just a tragedy.” Busby acknowledged the shock felt by the community, emphasizing their general kindness and generosity.