Video: Aberdeen Man Shot in Front Yard, One Suspect in Custody

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ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – An Aberdeen man was attacked and shot in his front yard late last week and now police have a man in custody.

A group of men ambushed Erik Blanchard at his Aberdeen home but the men had no idea that his neighbors would catch them in the act. The quick actions of nearby residents helped save Blanchard’s life and helped find one of the alleged attackers.

“Officers responded to the call. The injuries were pretty serious. Mr. Blanchard now is in a Jackson hospital where he sustained two gunshots to the neck,” says Aberdeen Chief of Police Henry Randle.

Neighbors say thirty-four year old Erik Blanchard was in his front yard Thursday night on Matubba Street when a group of men drove up and suddenly attacked him.

“When we got to him a few minutes later, the young man that was standing over him…and when her realized there were people outside, he came over through…straight down Matubba Street and he ducked down, but we could not identify who he was because he had on a hoodie. We couldn’t see his face or anything,” says Sherri Gates, Blanchard’s neighbor.

Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Randle says though he was seriously injured, Blanchard was able to identify his attackers.

“We have one in custody, Mr. Kentrell Gardner, for the shooting. There are also a couple of other assailants that we’re going to pick up along with the shooting,” says Randle.

Blanchard is an Aberdeen native and well-liked in the community. Randle says neighbors stepped up to help the department find the alleged assailants.

“We still accepting phone calls, we’re still receiving phone calls. We pretty much want to thank the public for being the hero in this matter,” says Randle.

Chief Randle says a motive for the shooting has not been determined. He expects Gardner’s bail to be set on Wednesday.