Anthony Fox, 25, whose last known address was 1840 Espy Drive, Apt. 15-C, was shot once in the chest with a medium-caliber handgun. He died a short time later at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.
"It appears to have been a domestic type of dispute," said Assistant Police Chief Tim Fortenberry. "The deceased had a history of assaulting this child's mother. He was in the process of assaulting her and forcing his way into the house when the shooting occurred."
Fortenberry identified the child's mother as a 32-year-old resident of the same apartment complex where Fox resided. The shooting took place at the woman's residence.
"She was sitting on the front porch with a friend when Mr. Fox came along and jumped on her. She went into the house, and he came in behind," said Fortenberry. "She tried to close the door behind her, but he forced his way on in."
Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith said the girl, whose name is being withheld because she is a juvenile, witnessed the attack, grabbed a semiautomatic pistol and fired a single shot into Fox's chest.
"He was apparently choking her when the girl went and got the gun," Meredith said.
The case remained under investigation this morning, and no charges had been filed.
Fortenberry said Coahoma County Youth Court authorities would review the facts of the case and determine what actions, if any, would be taken.