A Mississippi teenager accused of killing an elderly couple in their home had previously been identified as a suspect in numerous burglaries and car thefts, according to an incident report from the Simpson County Sheriff's Department. Cordarius Hobbs, 17, faces murder charges in the deaths of Billy Blair, 74, and Virginia Carol Blair, 71.
The incident report describes Hobbs as a "troubled juvenile" known to local deputies for alleged involvement in other crimes in the Mendenhall, Mississippi, area. Hobbs reportedly had done some work for the Blairs prior to the alleged shooting on June 3, according to family members speaking at a preliminary hearing in July.
Three contractors arrived at the Blairs' residence around 10 a.m. on June 3 to install a generator and discovered a car door ajar with several guns inside. They contacted the Simpson County Sheriff's Department for a welfare check, which led to officers arriving at the scene by noon. The sheriff's department reported that shots were fired at the arriving officers, initiating a standoff that lasted nearly two hours. Hobbs was apprehended while attempting to flee the scene, reportedly unarmed.
Investigators found Virginia Carol Blair in a bedroom, having sustained three gunshot wounds to the back of her head. Her husband, Billy Blair, was found in the kitchen with three gunshot wounds to the face. Hobbs has been charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of burglary, along with 10 additional charges. He has been denied bond.
Hobbs' defense attorney, Zachary Vaughn, stated that there is a lack of direct forensic evidence linking his client to the shootings. Vaughn noted that the positioning of the victim's wounds could suggest another party was involved and questioned the absence of an officer's identification of Hobbs at the time of the shooting.
The family of Billy and Virginia Blair released a statement expressing their grief, stating, "We are crushed in spirit, bruised, and brokenhearted, but we are not alone."
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