James Johnson Murder: Pro fisherman fatally shot at Miss. motel while in town for tournament, report says

(CBS) JACKSON, Miss. - James "Jimmy" Johnson, a 56-year-old bass angler, was fatally shot at a motel in Jackson, Miss. Sunday while in town to compete in a fishing tournament, according to a statement from Bassmaster obtained by The Clarion Ledger.

Johnson, of Ganado, Texas, was scheduled to compete at the Bassmaster Central Open which was set to begin Oct. 17. He was staying with his wife at a Motel 6 in the area.

Police say a call reporting the shooting came in at 7:48 p.m. Sunday.

Chris Bowes, senior tournament manager for the Bassmaster Opens, told Bassmaster.com that Johnson discovered someone burglarizing his boat. The shooting took place shortly thereafter.

Authorities are looking for a black male suspect that was captured on security camera footage, reports the paper.