After a homemade bomb was found and detonated in Lafayette County in June, law enforcement announced Tuesday that an arrest has been made.
Christina Laureen Willis, 27, of Batesville, was taken into custody and is being held at the Panola County Jail. She will be transported to the Lafayette County Detention Center at a later date.
On June 20, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious package discovered on a vehicle. The package was removed by the intended victim and turned over to law enforcement for further investigation.
Three days later, on June 23, the sheriff’s office requested assistance from the Tupelo Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Upon examination, bomb technicians confirmed the package contained a live, homemade explosive device, which was rendered safe in a secure area.
As a joint investigation between local, state, and federal agencies unfolded, law enforcement was led to a home on Highway 35 South in Panola County. Through a search warrant, investigators located evidence of bomb-making materials, homemade high explosive substances, firearms, and narcotics. Another explosive device was found inside the residence and safely detonated by bomb technicians.
Willis was arrested and charged with attempted murder and planting a bomb or explosive device. She is expected to face more charges after the case is presented to a federal grand jury.
Those who worked alongside the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office throughout the months-long investigation were the Tupelo Bomb Squad, ATF, Panola County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
“I am very proud of the way all of our local, state, and federal agencies worked together during this investigation,” Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East said. “With the support from all of the agencies involved, we were able to conduct a safe and professional investigation.”
East added that no further information will be released at this time due to the investigation being ongoing.
