UPDATED WITH PHOTO — Search continues for Dec. 28 shooting suspect

By Paul Keane

Franklin Advocate

Officials are still searching for a suspect wanted in a Dec. 28 shooting 
that left one man wounded.

According to Bude Police Chief Reginald "Reggie" Cain, a verbal 
altercation at a family gathering on Dec. 28 led to a later shooting. 
The eventual victim left the gathering on Second Street and drove home.

While at home, the suspect --- identified as Wesley Hickingbottom, Jr. 
--- drove by and shot the victim in the back with a shotgun. The victim 
was transported to the hospital and treated.

According to Cain, Hickingbottom was already wanted by the Mississippi 
Department of Corrections (MDOC) after breaking off an ankle bracelet 
that was monitoring his location. U.S. Marshals were being called to the 
area to assist in the search.

"He has family in the Brookhaven area and is believed to still be in 
this area," Cain said. "He is also considered to be armed and dangerous. 
He's been in prison once and probably doesn't want to go back."

Anyone with information on Hickingbottom's whereabouts --- or for anyone 
who comes in contact with him --- is urged to call 9-1-1 or 
601-384-2323. Everyone is urged to simply call and not try to encounter 
the suspect.