David Andre Bates

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office detectives will not pursue charges against the son of a woman carjacked in Olive Branch, Mississippi yesterday. However, final details of the case will be forwarded to the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for review by the Grand Jury.

Sheriff’s detectives also placed an additional charge against the alleged carjacker, David Andre Bates, 18, of Memphis. Bates will be charged with Aggravated Assault for pointing his weapon at the carjacking victim’s son during a vehicle chase in Shelby County.

About 1:30 yesterday afternoon, Bobbie Gray, 71, had just arrived at her home in the 9100 block of Hickory Drive in Olive Branch. As she got groceries from the trunk of her 2004 Mercury Marquis, investigators say Bates approached her armed with a shotgun.

Officers say Bates put the gun to her head but did not pull the trigger. As Ms. Gray screamed, Bates got into Ms. Gray’s car and sped away.

Gray’s son, Keith, 44, who lives at the home, saw what happened. Armed with his pistol, Gray got into his 2002 Nissan Maxima and chased Bates.

During the three-mile chase which led the vehicles into Shelby County, Gray said Bates pointed the shotgun at him. Investigators say Gray then shot at Bates three, possibly four times. Bates was stuck in the left hip by one of the bullets.

Both vehicles continued west on State Line Road when Bates jumped out of the stolen car. The unmanned vehicle traveled several hundred feet, crossed a ditch and came to rest in a field. Gray stopped his car and confronted Bates, telling him not to move. However, Bates refused. As Bates approached Gray, Gray shot Bates a second time in the knee.

Sheriff’s Office detectives said they won’t seek charges against Keith Gray for the following reasons:

• Bates, armed with a shotgun, had threatened Gray’s mother
• Bates aimed the shotgun at Gray as he chased Bates
• Although not armed when shot, Gray had no way of knowing whether David Bates had an additional weapon when he approached Gray after the vehicle chase

Bates continues to be treated for his two gunshot wounds. Olive Branch Detectives will charge Bates with Aggravated Carjacking.