Jackson Free Press

Hinds County Sheriff and interim Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin has 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 Dr., 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. … It took skill and investigative knowledge to accomplish this, and I want to make sure they're recognized for their efforts."

Dets. 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."