Eight people are dead after a shooter went on a killing spree in Lincoln County, Mississippi. According to reports, a sheriff's deputy and seven other people were shot dead overnight in Bogue Chitto, an unincorporated area of southern Mississippi.

The shootings began around 11:30pm on Saturday (May 27) night at a house in Bogue Chitto. Three women and the deputy were found dead. The bodies of two boys were found at another crime scene in Brookhaven. A man and woman were found dead at a third scene. Authorities have identified 36-year old Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy William Durr as the slain officer according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

CNN reports that Willie Cory Godbolt, 35, of Bogue Chitto, was taken into custody and being treated at a Jackson hospital for a gunshot wound. Bogue Chitto is an unincoporated part of Lincoln County and Brookhaven is the Lincoln County seat, about 60 miles south of Jackson.

According to WAPT, the first location's victims were the mother, aunt and sister of Godbolt's estranged wife, who escaped with their two children. Another of Godbolt's wife's sisters and her husband were the victims found dead at the third location.

Godbolt spoke to a reporter while he was in custody and awaiting treatment. Godbolt said he had gone to a residence to talk with family members--specifically his wife, her mother, and her stepfather--about taking his children home.

"Somebody called the officer. People that didn't even live at the house. That's what they do. They intervene. It cost him his life. I'm sorry.

"My pain wasn't designed for him. He was just there," Godbolt said, referring to the lawman.

Godbolt said that he was expecting to die today.

"Death," he responded, when asked about his future. "Suicide by cop was my intention. I ain't fit to live. Not after what I've done."

Brad Barket, Getty Images