10/30/09 - Madison County

Mitchell Family Pleads for Witness Information
By: Jonquil Newland
jnewland@wbbjtv.com
6:15 p.m.
 
"It is like a horrible dream that will not go away." said Troy Mitchell's brother-in-law, Bob Zimmerman. He and dozens of other family members have traveled from across the continent to support the Mitchell family in Jackson.
 
Mitchell spent nearly two days in critical condition after he was shot in the face Wednesday while working on a customer's car in west Jackson. According to family members, he passed away late Thursday evening. "We lost a son, a husband, a brother, an American hero, and most importantly, a father and role model of seven boys," Zimmerman said.
 
Mitchell was a highly decorated Marine, earning a bronze star and several stripes. "He lived through the Pentagon. His office was destroyed that day," Mitchell's sister, Tonia Arends said.
 
He opened a local lock and key business after retiring from the military. Family members believe his willingness to help took him to parts of town other locksmiths did not want to go. "He would give his shirt off his back for anybody. It does not matter, rich, poor, homeless, he would do anything for anybody," Zimmerman said.
 
It was in a west Jackson apartment complex, in broad daylight, that Mitchell was gunned down in what police are calling an apparent robbery. Now, three days later, police have still not publicly identified any suspects. "Any information, anything you know, please come forward," Zimmerman pleaded. "Anything you know, please come forward."  
 
Funeral arrangements for Mitchell are on hold until his son gets back from overseas. "We need Ren to come home. He still has not made it home yet," said Arends. "Any congressman, congresswoman, anybody out there that can help us, we are trying to get him home as soon as possible," Zimmerman said.