Police recovered 280 bullet casings at the home of Bill Blair (75) and Carol Blair (71) following an hours-long standoff on June 3. Cordarius Hobbs, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested after Simpson County deputies engaged in a two-hour confrontation with the alleged shooter near Mendenhall.
The incident began when three contractors arrived at the Blairs’ home to install a generator around noon. According to investigators from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, they noticed the door to Carol Blair’s car was left open and multiple guns were placed on the seats.
An hour and a half later, the contractors called for a welfare check by Simpson County Sheriff’s deputies after becoming concerned about the Blairs’ safety. Half an hour after that, deputies arrived at approximately noon and attempted to push through a screen door but were met with gunfire, initiating a standoff that lasted two hours.
Hobbs fled on foot from the home but was captured by police. He was described as wearing all black and holding a bag without a weapon when apprehended. Hobbs sustained injuries during the incident but they were not life-threatening.
Investigators discovered 280 bullet casings inside the Blairs’ residence, along with three guns that belonged to Bill Blair. Carol Blair was found in a fetal position in her bedroom with three shots to the back of her head. Bill Blair lay on his back in the kitchen with three shots to his face.
Hobbs has been charged with two counts of capital murder, burglary, and multiple aggravated assault charges. The Blairs had hired Hobbs for odd jobs around their home.
The Blairs’ pastor described them as “the sweetest couple,” noting they were rarely seen without each other and that they “loved the Lord” and would help anyone.
Less than a week after Hobbs was taken into custody, his two brothers became involved in a massive manhunt following an incident where Covington County Deputy Yates Rodney was critically wounded during a traffic stop.
