Sheriff: Trailer burns down during search for Newton Co. murder suspect

JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WTOK) - UPDATE: Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson told our sister station, WDAM, that non-flammable gas was deployed by law enforcement when a person they were trying to apprehend refused to come out of a trailer on CR 22 after negotiators and family members urged him to do so.

Johnson said he’s assuming the person inside set the fire. The burned property was too hot initially for investigators to go in to look for remains.

The sheriff asked the public for patience as the case unfolds. Johnson said an update would be shared when deputies have new details confirmed.

Earlier, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department said an investigator and deputy were checking a mobile home off of County Road 22 near Rose Hill Monday morning around 8:30 when a person was discovered inside the trailer. They ordered the person to come out but said he mumbled something and refused to exit.

Johnson said deputies had reason to believe the person inside was Roderick Moss, a suspect in the Newton County murder of Char’Dae Knowlin. There were reported sightings of Moss in Jasper County within the last week.

Roderick Tyrone Moss is accused of killing Char’Dae Knowlin in Newton County.(Newton County Sheriff's Dept.)

A SWAT team was called and a negotiator and the suspect’s family tried to talk him out to no avail. The person’s cell phone was recovered in the yard near the trailer.

In a Facebook statement, JCSO said nonflammable gas was deployed into the trailer, and a short time later smoke began to come from both ends. The trailer completely burned and the State Fire Marshal has been notified. The investigation is still ongoing and an update will be given as soon possible, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple agencies work to get suspect in Jasper County.(WDAM)

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Earlier:

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson said law enforcement is trying to make contact with an individual in a mobile home in an area near County Road 22, east of Rose Hill.

Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Jasper County deputies are on the scene trying to establish contact with whoever is inside.

Johnson said deputies have “strong reason to believe” this is the Newton County homicide suspect who has been spotted in the area over the past few days. They’re asking people to avoid that area while they do their job and hope for a peaceful ending.

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Earlier:

Newton County Sheriff Joedy Pennington confirmed Roderick Moss, a suspect in the Newton County murder of Char’Dae Knowlin, is in a standoff with law enforcement in Jasper County. Pennington said the location was County Road 22.

This is a developing story.

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