Man arrested, charged with first degree murder in connection to Gulfport stabbing

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Police have arrested 50-year-old Phillip Latrell Collins and charged him with one count of first-degree murder.

The arrest stems from an investigation that began on Sunday, November 7, 2021.

At approximately 4:24 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a residence located in the 600 block of 25th Street for a welfare check.

Upon arrival, James Andrew Higgins, age 59, was found deceased and appeared to be the victim of a homicide.

The investigation revealed that Higgins and Collins had gotten into a verbal argument which escalated into a physical confrontation.

During the confrontation, Collins stabbed Higgins multiple times and fled the scene.

Collins was taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility where he is being held with no bond per Harrison County Justice Court Judge Nick Patano.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.