A McCall Creek man is dead and another man is injured after an early morning shooting at a gas station today in Bude, officials said.
Bruce A. Lofton, 49, was shot once in the chest at 5:20 and died at the scene.
James William Wallace, 54, Freewoods Road, Roxie, is being held in connection with the shooting, said Franklin County Sheriff James Newman. He said charges could be filed in the case today.
Newman said Lofton and Christopher A. Shell, 45, also of Roxie, were at the Gas Line service station at the intersection of Highways 184 and 98 when Wallace entered and allegedly shot both men — Lofton at point blank range — with a small-caliber handgun. The men apparently had been arguing, Newman said.
The sheriff said Wallace, who allegedly fired two shots, knew both men.
The sheriff said Wallace also allegedly shot Shell in the arm after shooting Lofton. Newman said Shell lost a lot of blood and was being taken to a Jackson hospital. He said Shell is expected to fully recover from his wound.
Newman said a motive remained unclear. Wallace is in the Franklin County jail with no bond set.
