Man Fatally Shoots Wife, Friends For Preventing Him From Drunk Driving

A Mississippi man was arrested and charged for allegedly killing his wife and two friends because they prevented him from drunk driving, officials said Thursday. Michael Barnhill, 30, was celebrating his wife Marlee Barnhill's 27th birthday at a friend's home in Carroll County on Friday when the incident took place.

Michael was charged Monday with three counts of homicide in connection with the tragic party in Carrollton. He also faces charges for attempted murder, according to Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently in jail without bond.

Sheriff Clint Walker said that, at the party, Michael became "drunk and belligerent" while the group of friends were "having a nice time together." But Michael allegedly became “combative” when his wife and friends tried to contain his behavior.

Marlee, upset with the way her husband was acting, took away his keys "to prevent him driving away in his drunk state." The sheriff said she "was trying to do the right thing to protect his life and the lives of other drivers."

Michael allegedly got a .40 caliber pistol from his truck, snatched a cigarette out of Marlee's hand and shot her in the chest. He then allegedly shot the party hosts, Jim Harrell, 44, and his wife, Brooks Harrell, 39, when they tried to intervene. Two other women at the home reportedly went upstairs to protect Harrells' 10-year-old-son, who was asleep.

Emergency responders pronounced 44-year-old Jim dead at the home in Carroll County. His 39-year-old wife, Brooks, was airlifted to a Jackson hospital, where she later died.

Deputies arrested Michael at the scene after a brief struggle. Authorities said he pretended he didn't know what had happened. But surviving witnesses identified him as the shooter.

“We may never know why Barnhill perpetrated this horrible crime. None of the victims or survivors were doing anything other than having a small get-together to celebrate Marlee’s birthday. According to our preliminary investigation, there were no drugs involved, and very little drinking other than that done by Michael Barnhill to excess,” Walker said in the statement. “Each victim of this crime acted out of care and concern for the welfare of others.”