Jackson Free Press

Hinds County Sheriff and interim Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin named convicted felon Michael Allen as the suspect in the Dec. 1 shooting of Jackson business owner Donnie Register. Register, owner of The Antique Market in Fondren, made national headlines, shielding his head from a bullet allegedly fired by Allen. The bullet ricocheted off Register's wedding band and sent fragments into his hand and neck, potentially saving him from a fatal head wound.

Allen was allegedly with an unnamed accomplice at the time of the robbery. Register told reporters that he had given the robbers his money prior to Allen allegedly firing at his head.

"I made no sudden moves," Register said. "I had given them the money in my front pocket and everything I could, and they shot me anyway."

Allen, who lives at 3746 Northview Drive, is a convicted felon who was on parole at the time of the shooting. He had an arrest in 1998 for marijuana possession, an arrest in 2000 for possession of cocaine, another arrest in 2003 for possession of marijuana and an arrest in 2005 for possession of cocaine, for which he was convicted. Allen pled guilty on that charge on Aug. 10, 2007.

McMillin said police pursued the case using tips from the community and a positive identification in a line-up. Register said he is confident of the suspect's identification.

McMillin praised officers for their work and pointed out that police get more recognition for negative news than positive reports.

"Oftentimes the Jackson Police Department is much maligned. There's a lot of talk on how we might be slow to react. This is the second high-profile crime in (the last few weeks) that these officers have solved, and through hard work and dedication … they've come up with a suspect. … Some people say this department is headed in the right direction, but these men were already headed in the right direction. It took skill and investigative knowledge to accomplish this and I want to make sure they're recognized for their efforts.

Detectives David Domino and Derrick Jordan led the investigation, JPD Commander Gerald Jones said. Police are still looking for the second suspect in the shooting.

"The investigation is still underway," Jones said. "We expect more information as it continues."

Register said he believed the unnamed suspect had visited his store about a week prior to the attack.

"I'm pretty sure that other guy had come in here before that Saturday. I think I was buying coins from either him or a friend who was with him," Register said.

Register now sports stitches in the fingers of his left hand and a gun and shoulder holster that he pointedly wears in plain view. He said he counts himself extremely lucky and has no plans to close the store.

"I never said I planned to close the store," Register said, "not after all these years. We're the longest-running antique shop in Jackson that is still open, and I'm not leaving it now."

Still, the shop does not see as much business as it did when the Registers opened their doors in the 1970s. Register said the store may cut back its Saturday hours after Christmas.

"We used to have 75 to 100 visitors a day. Now we have about 15," Register's wife, Darlene, said. "The area is changing now, with new businesses coming in, but we don't know yet if the new atmosphere is meant to work with an antique shop."

McMillin has since stepped up security in the Fondren area. County mounted deputies regularly patrol the area. The new interim chief also announced that he is creating a scooter-riding unit that will patrol pedestrian areas.

"The scooters have been donated," McMillin said. "We've got them on order now."

Previous Comments

ID

97515

Comment

Since taking the man's money wasn't good enough for the shooter in this case, perhaps he will get life in prison this time and find a very large, violent and indiscriminate husband in prison who is a sexphene.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-07T16:39:03-06:00

ID

97516

Comment

Glad he's carrying a gun. Should carry concealed so as not to tip off future thugs as to his present armed status.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-07T17:31:47-06:00

ID

97517

Comment

Wouldn't you want them to know in order to deter them from attacking? "Concealed" sounds like you're itchin' to shoot somebody.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-07T17:39:41-06:00

ID

97518

Comment

It depends. Criminals want to know who's armed so that they either 1) don't attack them and pick an easier target, or 2) shoot first before the person realizes what's up. If I'm carrying concealed, then, well, the criminal won't know if I'm armed or not. He is going to surprise me by attacking me, and I'm going to surprise him by defending myself. Take this for example. If you rob a bank, who are you most likely to suspect has a gun? The security guard, right? So, you take his gun from him, whatever. He's out. Now what? You don't suspect the granddad cashing a check. He's carrying under a shirt, and is able to draw down on the robber and hold him for police. What if the granddad was carrying openly? Well, now he's out too. It's just strategy. There is a time and place for open carry. I don't disparage him for carrying, I'd be carrying two in his shoes!

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-07T18:26:32-06:00

ID

97519

Comment

Donna, Concealing a firearm is the best way NOT to get killed. If I'm a criminal and I'm bound and determned to rob a place of business, I'd walk in and shoot the person that I knew had a gun. This can happen, particularly if the openly armed business owner is looking the other way. In self-dense, the element of surprise is very crucial. www.nrams.com

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-07T18:29:48-06:00

ID

97520

Comment

dense??? hahaha...self-defense damn key board!!!

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-07T19:40:25-06:00

ID

97521

Comment

Two sides to the issue. Cliff is correct, if you know there is one target armed, take them out if you are so inclined. However, concealed weapon give a false sense of security as well. If you are getting held up, the felon has the gun and the drop on you, you reach try to draw, thinking you are John Wayne, you die, and likely others. I think it is still wise to allow concealed weapons permits. Cliff, I need an answer on this question. I thought when this law was passed you had to be certified (i.e. PAY cash and take a class. I thought it was safety and a test that you shot and had to basically not shoot the instructor) I am now being told you just have to pay. Am I wrong there was a class you use to have to take? Regardless, do you no longer have to take an firearms training to get a license? If there is no training, there should be some. I took it to be able to get my hunting license and my drivers license. Just a basic safety course would be wise. I am willing to concede hunter's ed would suffice AGamma627

Author

AGamm627

Date

2007-12-09T00:31:19-06:00

ID

97522

Comment

You never had to take a class. Just pay $100.00 for new permit, $27.00 fingerprint fees, passport picture, two forms of indentification, and notarized forms. They do crimimal records check, and you should have the permit in 120 days if nothing comes up in the background check.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2007-12-09T01:08:16-06:00

ID

97523

Comment

AGamma Most of the people I know that have concealed weapon permits are not wannbe cowboys. They are smart enough to know that they would not be able to draw and shoot someone that already has a gun drawn and covering them. They are more likely not going to be in those types of situations to start with. They usually stay away from areas where there will be trouble and are more observant of their surroundings than most people. The majority hope they would never have to draw a gun and use it, but they would to protect themselves and their loved ones. There are probably some that think they are gun slingers, but usually those types would not take the time or pay the money to have a permit and would carry away. Besides you can legallly carry a loaded gun in you car in Mississippi anyway. Having to take a class or shoot to qualify for a permit would not be a bad idea.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2007-12-09T01:32:46-06:00

ID

97524

Comment

I think mandating a class is a terrible idea when it is a Constitutional right. So, what happens if you can't afford a class? Do you not get to get a permit? The people that want to take advanced firearms training, fine. A mandatory class is just another tax. A permit is a $127 tax on something that I shouldn't have to have in order to carry my gun.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-09T08:31:01-06:00

ID

97525

Comment

I have never read in the Constitution where it says it a right to carry a concealed weapon. It says keep and bear arms, to me that would mean open carry not concealed carry. The way you want it, everyone would be able to carry a concealed weapon, whether you have a criminal record, mental problem or history of domestic violence. A permit weeds out the people who should not have a concealed weapon. I think the cost of the safety course or shooting to qualify should be incluced in the $127 you have to pay now, because you know it doesn't cost the state that much to do a background check or the fingerprints.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2007-12-09T15:45:11-06:00

ID

97526

Comment

BubbaT, that argument is like saying we have the right to free speech, but... You can't post on blogs because posting on a blog is not speech, it's text. Bearing arms is just that. If I want to bear them concealed or openly, or not at all, it's ok. It says shall not be infringed. If you're that dangerous, that you can't be trusted with your rights, why are you out on the streets? Classes are another form of tax. I look at it like poll taxes for voting. Should we take a class on voting? Perhaps a speech class? And then everyone would have to pass a test. Wait.. I think that's called high-school. Didn't we use to have gun safety classes in high schools and middle school wayyyyyyy back in the day? Hmmm...

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-09T16:19:52-06:00

ID

97527

Comment

Good discussion all. Agam, I see where they've answered your question about training for a permit. For the record, I'm against it. Yes, it would drive more business my way, but it would also dumb down the training process. It most states you can get your permit by taking a 6, to 8 hour course in a class filled with as many as 30 students. There's no way in hell I'll sign off on anyone under those conditions. I don't teach any more than 4 at a time. In a class with 4, we'll meet at the range for 32 hours of instruction. I also agree with all of LawClerk's points. It's simply unfair to those that can't afford it. Plus, it's just one more gun control law. www.nrams.com

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-09T16:26:55-06:00

ID

97528

Comment

BubbaT:"The way you want it, everyone would be able to carry a concealed weapon, whether you have a criminal record, mental problem or history of domestic violence. A permit weeds out the people who should not have a concealed weapon." Bubba, all of the people you mentioned will carry a firearm regardless of a law. That's why they're sick, and or criminals...they break the law. Another law won't stop them. Throwing their a$$es in jail and, or mental wards when they're caught with a gun will.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-12-09T16:31:51-06:00

ID

97529

Comment

Cliff, I agree laws have not effect on criminals. They could care less anyway. It's like the old saying "A lock on you house only keeps out an honest person, a criminal is going to get in anyway."

Author

BubbaT

Date

2007-12-09T18:57:33-06:00