No bond for pair arrested in murder

Two Philadelphia men charged in the murder and robbery of an 18- year-old boy on Feb. 19 have been denied bond, Police Chief Eric Lyons said.

Demonte Renfroe, 18, and Kornelious I’Tavan Triplett, 21, both of Philadelphia, have been charged with capital murder and armed robbery in connection with the shooting death of William Gage Arnold, 18, that occurred at about 10 p.m. on Feb. 19 on Valley View Drive.

Both men are currently being held at the Winston County Jail.

Lyons said PPD responded to the area of Valley View Drive where calls of gunshots were reported.

Approximately 15 minutes later, they were notified a gunshot victim had arrived by personal vehicle at Neshoba General. The victim was identified as William Arnold.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, Lyons said.

Investigators believe that William Arnold was the intended target. 

Arnold and a second victim were at an abandoned house on Valley View when Renfroe and Tripplet assaulted them and robbed them, Lyons said.

Arnold’s father, William Bowman, said his son had gotten off of work and was hanging out with some friends when two men “came out of nowhere.” 

Lyons said the second victim received only minor injuries and was the person who drove Arnold to the hospital.

Lyons said that Triplett was apprehended around 3:20 p.m. on Feb. 22 and Renfroe was brought in as a suspect the previous day.

Bowman said that his son enjoyed hanging out with friends, watching television and playing video games.

“I never met my father,” Bowman said. “I couldn’t even tell you what he looks like so when my son was born I said that boy is going to see my face every day and he did.”

William worked at Loredo Grill. “They love him up there,” Bowman said.