McComb man believed to have been strangled

McCOMB — Arthur Suydam III, 53, of McComb, is believed to have been killed early Monday by strangulation, Hancock County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Seem said. Suydam's son, Jordan, 26, who lived with him at 118 S. Meadow Drive, McComb, is a suspect in his father's death, Seem said Tuesday. Jordan Suydam died later Monday in Columbus after driving through the city and allegedly shooting at people at random and then being chased by Columbus area police. His pickup, loaded with ammunition, exploded after it rolled onto its side. Jordan Suydam was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations into the incidents in McComb and Columbus are continuing. According to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Jordan Suydam was developed as a person of interest as sheriff's deputies investigated a suspected homicide at 2:47 a.m. Monday. Arthur Suydam III was pronounced dead at the scene by McComb EMS. Hancock County Sheriff's Office personnel put out an attempt to locate Jordan Suydam and the elder Suydam's vehicle. Later Monday, Columbus-area law enforcement personnel were advised of a "vehicle wanted out of at least three separate shooting locations" on the west side of Columbus. Each report, made from about 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., described a male shooting at random from inside a maroon 2007 Dodge pickup truck, Jim Gilbert, chief deputy at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, said during an afternoon press conference. As officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Jordan Suydam began to lead them on a high-speed chase. His pickup flipped over and caught on fire when 30-50 rounds of ammunition began to explode, Gilbert said. Nearby SWAT units and fire personnel arrived to put out the fire, and Jordan Suydam was pronounced dead. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office said an autopsy for Jordan Suydam is pending.