YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Investigating Officer(s): Det. T. Armstrong, Det. S. Murphy
Incident No.: 003189-10G-2021
Case Description: Robert Pruitt-Wayne Fisher homicide investigation
The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department spoke to Rick Gill's neighbors at the University Arbors Apartments (805 College Hill Road) and people at the Pizza Den restaurant (1304 University Avenue), looking for potential witnesses who might have seen Rick Gill the night of July 9, 2021.
The interviews summarized are some of the most typical or relevant to the investigation and are representative of all interviews conducted.
Hancock
Stewart Hancock
504 Brittany Drive
Mr. Hancock, 24, worked the evening shift at Pizza Den on Friday, July 9th, starting at 5:00 p.m.
He recalled the restaurant was busy between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. but remembered a little man with four rambunctious children. He took special note of them because people were in a hurry to order their pizzas and get home, and this man and his kids were holding up the line because they couldn't agree on the kind of pizza they wanted.
The man and his kids ate in the restaurant instead of taking out. The kids were noisy and "sort of out of control," according to Hancock.
Hancock didn't see what time the man and children left but noticed they weren't there by around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. when business slowed.
Sullivan
Kathy Sullivan
805 College Hill Road
Ms. Sullivan, 20, is a resident of University Arbors Apartments and said she did not know Mr. Gill except by sight.
She said she was aware of him because he was older than many of the residents, who are students, and he made her uncomfortable because he seemed to be glaring all the time.
Sullivan did not see Gill on Friday, July 9th. She said she left for the Rib Cage Street Party with her friends and did not return home until much later that night.
Thurston
Theresa Thurston
805 College Hill Road
Ms. Thurston, 33, is a neighbor of Mr. Gill at University Arbors Apartments. Thurston said she remembers Gill being home with his children on July 9th. She invited him to go to the party with her and some friends, but he refused because his children were spending the weekend with him.
She saw Gill and the children leave about 6:30 p.m. and return around 8:00 p.m. She waved to them, and the children waved back.
Thurston said she didn't believe he left again during the evening and emphasized that he never leaves his apartment without the children when they are with him.
She said she didn't know what type of vehicle he drove.
Willis
David Willis
805 College Hill Road
David Willis, 40, resides in an apartment across the courtyard from Mr. Gill.
Willis said he was aware of Gill's children being there that Friday because they were running around the complex. He said he heard Gill reprimand them for being too noisy and disturbing the other tenants.
Willis said he did not see the Gills go out in the evening, nor did he see Mr. Gill leave the apartment later.
Willis described Gill's vehicle as a light-colored minivan.
