A Mississippi woman who fled the scene after allegedly shooting her boyfriend dead and driving away in his stolen car turned herself in to police after informing a local newspaper.
Aziza Young, 35, was taken into custody by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on Monday after surrendering in front of the Natchez Democrat, a local newspaper. According to the paper, Young called them first because she was concerned about what would happen if she turned herself in to the police.
The Jackson Police Department had issued an arrest warrant for Young in connection with the shooting death of her boyfriend, Adrione Triggs, 45, and the theft of his car.
During a press conference broadcast on Monday by WLBT, a local NBC affiliate, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade stated that the alleged altercation between Young and Triggs was “a domestic situation,” and that Young “calculated” the alleged shooting.
Young told the Natchez Democrat that she was acting in self-defense and that he had threatened to kill her.
When questioned by a reporter about the possibility of Young acting in self-defense, Wade stated that witnesses at the scene saw evidence to the contrary. He stated, “According to our investigation, she was not defending herself. According to eyewitness accounts, she was not defending herself.
Wade added that, according to investigators, Young “dragged the body.” She tried to move the body. “That is based on witness accounts.” Wade urged Young to contact the police prior to her arrest in order to provide her account. “Call us if you are defending yourself after taking his life. Call someone. Don’t try to drag and move the body to fit a narrative you’re trying to construct.”
After Young called the Natchez Democrat, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that she was in Natchez, Mississippi, and intended to turn herself in. After Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten confirmed Young’s warrants with Chief Wade, sheriff’s deputies and Natchez police officers arrived at a residence where Young was waiting, along with reporters from the Natchez Democrat.
Patten told the newspaper, “We were able to take her into custody without incident.” She did not resist, fight, or do anything. She was simply scared… She was trembling because she had no idea what was going to happen.”
Young appeared in court on Wednesday for his bond hearing. According to courtroom reporting by local ABC affiliate WAPT, a police officer who worked the scene of Triggs’ homicide told the court that witnesses claimed Young and Triggs arrived at the home together and were already arguing.
According to witnesses, Young left the house and returned to Triggs’ car, where she was seen putting on a blue latex surgical glove and allegedly removing a gun from the vehicle. The officer stated that Young hid herself by the side of the house and waited for Triggs to emerge. When he did, she reportedly shot him in the back.
According to the officer, a struggle ensued over the gun, and Young allegedly shot Triggs several times before fleeing the scene in his car.
Young’s attorney argued in court that she acted in self-defense.
Young’s bond was set at $1,025,000, including $1 million for the murder charge and $25,000 for allegedly stealing Triggs’ car. She is expected to return to Jackson to face the charges.
