By Brian Livingston
A Meridian man is recovering from two bullet wounds and another is in jail on various charges in connection with a recent shooting incident.
Meridian Police Department officials said 39-year old, Michael Dewayne Payne of Meridian is charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a firearm. Bond was set at $50,000 on each charge, totaling $150,000.
MPD Capt. James Sharpe, commander of the MPD's Criminal Investigation Division, said Wednesday the charges stem from an incident which occurred on Nov. 13 near the intersection of Highway 39 North and North Hills Street.
Sharpe said Payne is accused of causing a vehicular accident near the intersection and when the driver of the struck vehicle stopped, Payne allegedly stepped out of the vehicle he was in, produced a weapon and shot the victim's vehicle several times. Sharpe said the victim, who was struck twice by bullets, immediately fled the scene and was later contacted by law enforcement authorities.
None of the victim's wounds were life threatening and the victim was treated at a Meridian hospital emergency room and then released.
"Payne left the scene and almost immediately turned himself into Meridian Police Department authorities," said Sharpe.
Further investigation into the incident revealed that Payne felt that the victim had been following him, Sharpe said.
On Nov. 17, detectives with the Meridian Police Department Criminal Investigation Division filed formal charges against Payne.
Payne is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention facility under the $150,000 bond and a Mississippi Department Of Corrections hold pending further legal and/or bonding actions. The case against Payne will be presented to the March 2010 session of the Lauderdale County grand jury.
