Gulfport, Miss. – Ellis Townsend, 27, of Greenville, Mississippi, turned himself in to the Gulfport Police Department on Friday, February 7, 2025, after being wanted for the fatal assault of 75-year-old Scott Miller. Townsend is charged with the murder of Miller, who succumbed to injuries sustained in November 2024.
The incident occurred on November 18, 2024, when police were called to Dodge’s Southern Style on Highway 49 in Gulfport. Upon arriving at the scene, detectives found Miller, who reported that he had been attacked by Townsend, an on-duty security guard at the business.
Investigators determined that Townsend struck Miller multiple times in the head with a closed fist, causing the elderly man to fall to the ground. The attack continued until patrons at the store intervened. Miller later died from his injuries on January 13, 2025.
The assault was captured on surveillance video, which authorities are using as evidence in their investigation.
Townsend, who was employed as a security guard at the time of the incident, is being held by the Gulfport Police Department. Authorities have also confirmed that Townsend is from Greenville, Mississippi.
The Gulfport Police Department urges anyone with additional information about the incident to contact them at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898. Investigations into the case are ongoing as authorities continue to gather details.
The community remains shaken by this tragic event, and police are committed to pursuing justice for Scott Miller and his family.
