Vancleave man to face murder charge in 2022 death of Helena man

A Vancleave man is facing a murder charge in the 2022 shooting death of a Helena man.

K9 Officer Exo

36-year-old Mitchell Robinson, was returned to local custody Friday by federal officials, who were investigating the shooting death of Pascagoula K-9 Exo in 2022.

He now will face state charges in the shooting death of 52-year-old Christopher Joiner in June 2022. He also faces a charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Police were searching for Robinson when he turned to shoot at officers, striking Exo twice in the chest. Exo died at an emergency vet hospital in Mobile.

The charge, listed as animal crushing, carries a potential penalty of not more than seven years in prison and a fine.

Robinson also was shot in the exchange of gunfire with officers.