A Jackson man accused of beating his mother with a hammer was captured in Carroll County after a high-speed chase.
Dekarius Latrell Funches, 21, was captured in connection with the death of his mother Latasha Funches, 42. According to Jackson Police Department Public Information Officer Sam Brown, Jackson Police are investigating the death that occurred the evening of Wednesday, June 15 in the 3200 block of Lakewood Drive.
Brown stated that Latasha Funches, 42, was beaten with a hammer by Funches, who is her son. He said Funches fled the scene before police arrived. However, Funches’s chase ended just past the Duck Hill exit on Interstate 55 North in Carroll County. The chase went through Winona and Montgomery County before going back into Carroll County, where Carroll County deputies caught Funches.
Funches, after allegedly killing his mother, approached a young woman as she was leaving her job and demanded her vehicle, a 2015 Honda Accord, according to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker. He stated after obtaining the vehicle, Funches fled.
Walker said that around 8 p.m. on June 15, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department asking for assistance after they had to cease their chase because the driver had become reckless, endangering other motorists. Walker stated the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department was told by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department the wanted man was traveling north on Interstate‐55 at an extremely high rate of speed. He also said they were told the car was stolen out of Jackson, but other details surrounding the case at that time, were still unclear.
He said that deputies spotted the vehicle near mile marker 171, and Carroll County deputies, along with the Mississippi Highway Patrol chased Funches near the Winona exit. Walker said he attempted to deploy a spike strip to stop Funches to no avail. Walker said the chase continued on I-55, and Funches maintained speeds of 120 and greater.
He said the chase went back into Carroll County, and they were able to force Funches to stop near the Duck Hill exit. Walker said when Funches stopped, they noticed he was covered in blood, and there was blood in the vehicle. Walker said Funches, who recently was released from prison, was taken into custody.
Funches was taken back to Jackson, where Jackson police took him into custody. He faces charges of murder and auto theft, according to Walker.
“I thank the Lord for His protection of all the officers, the young girl and the innocent motorists along the way. He also is thankful for the training that deputies and troopers are able to rely upon to bring these types of situations to peaceful conclusions,” Walker said.
The department also wants to extend their deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and loved ones of the victim.
