MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Southaven, Mississippi, man has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison after he was convicted of robbing a man and then shooting him in a separate attack.
According to the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office, 21-year-old Detrich Neal pleaded guilty to attempted murder and armed robbery on Thursday. He was sentenced to 30 years for the attempted murder charge and five years for the armed robbery charge.
According to the DA’s office, in July 2024, Neal robbed a man at the Dorchester Apartments after running into him at a gas station. Neal reportedly stole the victim’s gun.
Warrants for Neal’s arrest were issued soon after the robbery. The DA’s office says he remained at large for months.
According to the DA’s office, in October 2024, Neal saw the same victim at a gas station and again followed him to the Dorchester Apartments.
The DA’s office says that when the victim backed into a parking spot, Neal pulled in front of him, jumped out of his vehicle, and fired shots into the victim’s car.
The victim was reportedly shot twice in the face. The DA’s office says the victim was able to drive himself to Baptist DeSoto Hospital.
Southaven Police reportedly determined that Neal was hiding in his girlfriend’s apartment. The DA’s office says officers spotted him leaving the apartment, but Neal fled into a wooded area.
Neal was reportedly captured minutes later near Tchulahoma Road and Heather Ridge.
DA Matthew Barton released a statement on Neal’s arrest.
It is obvious this apartment complex has become a magnet for criminal activity. But let me be clear: violent crime will not be tolerated where families sleep at night. My office will be actively exploring every option to stop criminal activity in apartment complexes like this one.
Thanks to the swift work of Southaven Police and the determination of our prosecutors, we’ve taken a violent criminal off the streets. I hope this thug is yet another example of why you should not commit crime in DeSoto County.
Neal was also sentenced to 20 years of post-release supervision. The DA’s office says Neal will be classified as a habitual offender because of his prior record.