While responding to a call, two Mississippi officers were shot and killed by an alleged suspect with a long criminal history.
According to the Clarion Ledger, Cpl. Zach Moak and Patrolman James White of the Brookhaven Police Department exchanged shots with Marquis Aaron Flowers around 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. And despite wearing bulletproof vests, both received life-threatening injuries. However, they also wounded Flowers in the exchange. Emergency personnel took Flowers to the local hospital, where he is awaiting charges.
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“Two heroes lost their lives today,” said Police Chief Kenneth Collins at a news conference. “They responded to the call and another was under fire, and that’s when the officer jumped in to help. They’re both heroes.”
Supposedly, Flowers is a member of the Gangster Disciples, a gang formed in Chicago in the 60s. Over the years, he has had several run-ins with police, according to The Daily Leader. This includes a 2017 high-speed chase, which he performed while wearing an ankle monitor. At the time, Flowers was on probation for vehicle burglary in Lincoln County, where Brookhaven is located.
While the investigation rages on, the flag was lowered in memory of the fallen officers outside of the Brookhaven Police Department. However, police have not released body cam or dash cam video of the shooting.
Brookhaven is a small town of around 12,000 residents about 60 miles south of the Magnolia State’s capital of Jackson.
Other Mississippi Officers Killed
Sadly, these Mississippi officers are not the only officers first killed recently. On the very next day, police found Mississippi Trooper Kenneth Joshlin Smith of Walnut fatally shot near the Tippah County/Alcorn County line.
Smith was off duty as the time and was found with another gunshot victim, identified as Rickie Dale Vick of Michigan City, Miss. Vick was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds but Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Clarion Ledger reports that the suspect has been identified as Troy Anthony Eaton. Eaton turned himself into police early the next morning.
Additionally, a sheriffs deputy from the Brookhaven area was one of eight killed last year in a spree shooting in Lincoln County Mississippi. Police identified and arrested Willie Godbolt of Bogue Chitto in that case. Godbolt is awaiting trial.
