Deputies arrest suspect in Scott County homicides

Published 8:01 am Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday arrested a man wanted in connection with two homicides in Scott County.

Zina Williams and her 8-year-old son, Zacchesus Williams, were found dead on Monday by firefighters responding to a house fire in Forest, the Associated Press reported. Scott County Coroner J. Van Thames, who identified the victims, said the two were shot and then the home was set on fire.

Newsletter sign up WIDGET

Email newsletter signup

Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun said investigators with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department contacted LCSD Tuesday morning for help locating James Salento Fulgham Jr.

Investigators were able to locate a vehicle connected with the homicides near Fulgham’s previous residence, Calhoun said.

“Investigators saturated the area and began the process of a search warrant for a residence located in the 8300 block of King Road,” Calhoun said via text message announcing the arrest.

As deputies were preparing to execute the search warrant, Fulgham was spotted in another vehicle that stopped at a home across the road, Calhoun said. Deputies were able to take Fulgham into custody without incident, he said.

Calhoun said Scott County investigators came to Lauderdale County following the arrest and have taken over the investigation. According to the AP, Fulgham was Zina Williams’ boyfriend, and authorities believe the two had argued prior to the shooting and fire.