The Forest Police Department has two suspects in custody in connection with the January 24 murder of Tykey Bland. Demarlo Pereze West, Jr., left photo, 17, of Lake and Nelson Ortiz, Jr., right photo, 18, of Forest have both been charged with First Degree Murder. West also faces an additional charge of Aggravated Assault-Gun.
Both West and Ortiz have been charged as adults in this matter. The mandantory prison sentence if found guilty of First Degree Murder in Mississippi is life in prison.
“This is still an ongoing investigation but we have taken a major step getting these two suspects in custody,” Forest Chief of Police Will Jones said, “This investigation is being led by the Forest Police Department in conjunction with the Scott County Sheriffs Department and the U.S. Marshalls Task Force. The alleged actions of the suspects and the facts of the January 24 shooting, that resulted in the death of Tykey Bland, are still being investigated.”
Anyone with information concerning this investigation are asked to contact the Forest Police Department.
