Shots rang out in Ridgeland on New Year’s Eve after an officer opened fire on a driver at the Renaissance shopping plaza.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting, Mississippi Department of Public Safety Media and Public Relations Specialist Bailey Martin confirmed in a statement to the Mississippi Free Press on Dec. 31.
“Officers with the Ridgeland Police Department were conducting surveillance on a vehicle,” Martin said. “An officer attempted to approach the vehicle, when the driver of the vehicle drove towards an officer.”
The driver, a 16-year-old, attempted to drive off, hitting the officer in the process, WLBT reported on Dec. 31.
“The officer discharged his weapon, striking the subject,” Martin said. The driver then led officers on “a brief pursuit on Interstate-220 before the vehicle came to a stop,” the statement continued.
Both the driver and officer received non-life threatening injuries. Martin said. “MBI is currently assessing this critical incident and gathering evidence. Upon completing the investigation, agents will share their findings with the Attorney General’s Office.”
