Unknown Michael Surber Killer

Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Wanted For:

Capital Murder
Ocean Springs , MS

Possible Location(s):

Georgia
Mississippi

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Miss. Police Seek Billiards Player's Killer

When professional billiards player Michael Surber didn't show up for a game, his friends knew something had to be wrong. And they were right: Michael had been stabbed to death in his home. But who did it? Police have video surveillance of a man they've named as a suspect, and they need your help identifying him.
»The Full Story

Last updated March 17, 2010

Unknown Michael Surber Killer

Pro Billiards Player Stabbed To Death

fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | Mike Surber was stabbed to death in his Ocean Springs Miss home Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | overview

Mike Surber was stabbed to death in his Ocean Springs, Miss., home.

Michael Surber was a professional billiards player who played all over the country. He worked for a casino and spent all his free time practicing. Friends say if you couldn’t find Mike, he was in his basement playing the game he loved.

That’s why when Michael didn’t show up for a match at his local billiards club, friends knew something was wrong.

Michael’s silver Honda Accord was parked at Skeeter’s Billiards, a local watering hole and a place where he and his friends would play pool. His car was there -- but he was not.

Friends, concerned that he was in trouble, went to his Ocean Springs, Miss., home. When they pulled plywood off a window to look inside, they saw Michael’s body, lifeless on the floor. He had been stabbed to death.

Police say the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | The unidentified suspect here with Michael Surber has been spotted at multiple bars and billiard clubs Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | overview

The unidentified suspect, here with Michael Surber, has been spotted at multiple bars and billiard clubs.

Michael walked into Skeeter’s Billards, in Gulfport, Miss., ready to gamble over a pool match. Police say that while Michael was engaged in a match with his friend, he was approached by a man who falsely identified himself as “Jericho Cooper,” the owner of Jinx Atlantic recording studios in Atlanta.

Police would later learn the suspect was using an alias. They have talked to the real Jericho Cooper, who has cooperated with the investigation.

Ocean Springs police believe Michael may have been the target of a robbery. Surveillance video from the bar on the day of Michael’s disappearance shows him and “Jericho” engaged in conversation and then leaving together, but the nature of their conversation is unknown. Police believe they drove off in one of Michael’s cars, a white Toyota 4-Runner.

Police are piecing together what transpired between the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, and Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, when Michael’s friends reported him missing. But they do know that after leaving the bar, the two men stopped at a local law office, attempting to meet with an attorney and long-time friend of Michael’s. While the attorney was unavailable, “Jericho” reportedly told the secretary he was going to open another office for his recording studio and needed legal assistance.

The pair then traveled to Michael’s friend’s house, picking up his other car -- a Honda Accord. This was the last time Michael was seen alive.

Police believe Michael was stabbed to death inside his residence shortly after arriving home.

The surveillance footage shows Michael’s Honda arriving at Skeeter’s Billiards later that evening, although police cannot identify who exits the vehicle. Police believe it to be the last person known to be with Michael -- the unidentified man using the alias, “Jericho Cooper.”

The Unidentified Killer

fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | The unidentified man using the alias Jericho Cooper may have targeted Michael for a robbery Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper | overview

The unidentified man, using the alias "Jericho Cooper," may have targeted Michael for a robbery.

The surveillance footage of the unknown man last seen with Michael may be the best lead police have, and they suspect this man was responsible for Michael’s murder.

Police have since learned this is not the first time this man has used the alias “Jericho Cooper.” The suspect was identified one week prior to the murder at a sports bar in Villa Rica, Ga.

“Jericho” appeared again days after Michael’s murder at Shucker’s Oyster Bar in Ridgeland, Miss., with a female companion. The manager called police after the suspect walked out on his $100 bar tab. He reportedly told the female employees he was a talent scout for Jinx Atlantic and tried to get one employee to come visit his studios, where she could record her own CD.

He is described as a white male, in his mid to late 40s, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing 170 to 180 pounds. He has dark brown hair that he pulls back in a ponytail. He frequents bars and has a history of running out on bar tabs.

Police say the killer should be considered armed and dangerous. He is unafraid to ingratiate himself with friends and associates of his potential victims.

Please help us get justice for Michael Surber’s family and friends. The suspect is inviting and brags about his success in the music business, but don’t be fooled: This man is considered very dangerous. If you have any information on the suspect, please call 1-800-CRIME-TV.

Wanted For:

Capital Murder , Ocean Springs , MS ; Nov 10, 2009

(Information valid as of March 24, 2010)

Unknown Michael Surber Killer

Aliases: Jericho Cooper

Sex:

Male

Race:

White

Height:

5'8"

Weight:

170-180 lbs.

Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair):

Brown
Suspect has a receding hair line.
He may wear his long hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Dark brown goatee

Other Phys. Characteristics:

Suspect may have a rough and weathered appearance.

Location information:

Police say that the killer is not afraid to be seen or to meet with friends and associates of his potential victims.

Last Seen:

Ridgeland , MS
The suspect was last spotted at a sports bar in Ridgeland, Miss., the week following the murder.

Other Possible Locations:

, GA
, MS

Unknown Michael Surber Killer

Photos

Media Photo This is the unidentified suspect with Michael He has been using the alias Jericho Cooper and claims to be the owner of a recording studio fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

This is the unidentified suspect with Michael. He has been using the alias, Jericho Cooper, and claims to be the owner of a recording studio.

Media Photo Police believe the two men were headed to the law office of Michael s friend in Biloxi Miss fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Police believe the two men were headed to the law office of Michael's friend in Biloxi, Miss.

Media Photo Police believe the two men left the bar together and drove off in Michael s white Toyota 4 Runner fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Police believe the two men left the bar together and drove off in Michael's white Toyota 4-Runner.

Media Photo Mike Surber was stabbed to death in his Ocean Springs Miss home fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Mike Surber was stabbed to death in his Ocean Springs, Miss., home.

Media Photo The unidentified man using the alias Jericho Cooper may have targeted Michael for a robbery fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

The unidentified man, using the alias "Jericho Cooper," may have targeted Michael for a robbery.

Media Photo The unidentified suspect here with Michael Surber has been spotted at multiple bars and billiard clubs fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

The unidentified suspect, here with Michael Surber, has been spotted at multiple bars and billiard clubs.

Media Photo Michael was a competitive billiards player and practiced his sport at the local bar fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Michael was a competitive billiards player and practiced his sport at the local bar.

Media Photo Mike placed high at the annual pool competition the Derby City Classic fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper

Mike placed high at the annual pool competition, the Derby City Classic.

Media Photo Friends said that when you couldn t find Michael he was somewhere playing the game he loved fugitives,Unknown Michael Surber Killer,Jericho Cooper