Bond set at $1M for Hattiesburg murder suspect

Bond for the suspect in Saturday's homicide in Hattiesburg was set at $1M Monday.

No motive has been determined in the slaying of Phillip Mattar, 34, of Hattiesburg, however a Meridian man remains in the Forrest County jail on a first-degree murder charge.

Michael Joseph Sullivan Jr., 21, who was arrested about 11:20 a.m. Saturday in connection with Maptar's slaying, according to the Hattiesburg police.

Forrest County Deputy Coroner Lisa Klem said the cause of death has not been determined, pending results of an autopsy.

Police responded to a call to 101 McCall St. in reference to a suspicious person and vehicle behind the building, the press release said. Upon arrival, police found the vehicle and saw a man who attempted to flee, according to the HPD incident report.

Sullivan was apprehended following a short foot pursuit. When officers went back to the vehicle, they noticed a person in the passenger seat with clothing covering him, the report said. Officers also noticed blood all over the passenger side of the vehicle.

Detectives were called to the scene, and Sullivan was taken to the police department where he eventually was charged. The incident is still under investigation.