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Lind Street Murder: 2 arrested, 1 on run
Lamont Malone.jpg
Lamont Malone

One suspect remains the focus of a TBI manhunt, while another is in jail on a murder charge after a home invasion Friday night on Lind Street.

Darius Michael “Reese” Bishop, 33, was shot and killed in the confrontation at his Lind Street home right at midnight on Friday. Bishop was a star basketball player for the WCHS Pioneers from 2002-2004.

Terrence Lamont Malone, 43, is in jail and charged with felony murder and especially aggravated burglary. He is being held on $1.5 million bond.

Also charged is Celeste Jones, 38, who reportedly lied to an investigator. She has been charged with filing a false report and is not believed to have been at the scene. The home is located just off Garfield Street in the area of McMinnville Civic Center.

The other suspect, who has not been publically identified by the TBI or local law enforcement, remains on the loose. His identity is reportedly known by authorities, but not his whereabouts. When asked yesterday, a TBI spokesperson did not know if he would be added to the TBI Top 10 Most Wanted List.

According to the TBI, Bishop was at home with several friends when two masked men forced their way through the front door around midnight. Bishop confronted the men and was shot during the scuffle.

The clip reportedly fell from the gun after it was fired and one of Bishop’s friends picked it up and threw it across the room so the gun couldn’t be fired again. The two men then fled the scene in what was described as a red Chevy Malibu with no hubcaps.

During the investigation, it was determined the vehicle used in the homicide is owned by Celeste Jones. A police detective made contact with Jones and the vehicle on Linkley Street, a small side street located near the fairgrounds.

When questioned about the whereabouts of her vehicle at the time of the murder, Jones reportedly lied and told police Lamont Malone had dropped off the vehicle Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Jones told police the vehicle had not moved since that time.

“Celeste Jones provided this information to Det. Sgt. Stuart Whitman knowing that Lamont Malone was in possession of her vehicle well past the stated time,” the arrest warrant says.

The relationship between Bishop and Malone has not been revealed. Based on the aggravated burglary charge against Malone, it appears his motive for allegedly entering the home was to steal.

Police have not revealed which of the masked men is believed to have fired the shot that killed Bishop.

It is not known if law enforcement officials have any solid leads on the whereabouts of the second male suspect. Thus far, they have not released his name or asked for the public’s help in finding him.

Bishop was a former basketball star for the Pioneers who was a member of the class of 2004. As a sophomore, he was a key contributor on the 2002 Pioneer basketball team that went 21-11 and advanced to the region tournament.