SCOTT COUNTY, Miss. (TCD) — Officials arrested a 31-year-old man this week accused of killing his 36-year-old live-in girlfriend and her son before starting a fire to cover up their deaths.
According to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, Oct. 9, Scott County firefighters responded to a house fire at 548 Wash Drive. While extinguishing the flames, they discovered two victims dead from gunshot wounds. Scott County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the scene and identified the victims as Zina Williams and her son, 7-year-old Zacchesus Williams.
Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee told WLBT-TV, “It looks like she was shot once. The child was shot at least three times, maybe more.”
Additionally, investigators noted that Zina Williams’ vehicle was absent from the scene. Officials identified Zina’s boyfriend, James Fulgham, as the primary suspect.
Lee told WLBT that neighbors heard Fulgham and his girlfriend fighting and “also heard what they believe were gunshots.”
Following the gunshots, neighbors allegedly saw Fulgham exiting the home alone.
According to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, investigators collected information and used technology to find a vehicle linked to the two homicides near Fulgham’s old home in a wooded area.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators surrounded the area and obtained a search warrant for a home in the 8300 block of King Road.
As they were getting ready to approach the residence, investigators spotted Fulgham in a vehicle on King Road, and he stopped at another home across the road. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office arrested Fulgham without incident and booked him into the Scott County Jail.
Investigators reportedly recovered Williams’ silver Honda Accord in Lauderdale County as well.
Fulgham and Williams worked together at Tyson Foods, and they reportedly had an argument prior to her death.