‘There may have been an argument’: Man accused of fatally shooting co-worker at Navy shipyard, cops say

A painter at Mississippi’s Ingalls Shipbuilding is under police questioning after allegedly shooting and killing a coworker on Friday.

Curtis James Jr., 25, of Mobile, was taken into custody without incident by Pascagoula police after allegedly killing a fellow paint department employee around 7:32 a.m. Friday. Police Chief Terry Scott said the victim, identified only as a man from Prichard, was a coworker of James.

James allegedly fired two shots. The victim was found dead at the scene.

“Pretty sure both guys knew each other,” Scott said. “There may have been an argument earlier this week, so thank goodness it was just between the two.”

Police will release the victim’s name after his next of kin are informed of his death, Scott said.

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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a fellow shipbuilder who was fatally shot this morning,” Ingalls Shipbuilding's parent company, Huntington Ingalls Industries, said in a statement on the company’s website.

“We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the employee’s family and friends during this difficult time. Respecting the privacy of the family, we are not releasing the name at this time.”

Anyone with information about this incident should call the department at 228-938-6707.

The shipyard was initially under lockdown as authorities searched for the suspect while employees were told to shelter in place. By 9.40 a.m. Friday, once the suspect had been apprehended, this was lifted, according to WKRG.

All employees were sent home with pay, an Ingalls Shipbuilding spokesperson said Friday during the afternoon press conference.

Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a key supplier of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels.

The shipyard has been a large contributor to the local economy for 85 years, employing thousands in the construction of naval and coast guard ships. It is located in Pascagoula, a city with a population of about 22,000.