THIS COPYRIGHTED STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED
A Clarksdale Policeman has been shot in an exchange of gunfire at Double Quick Convenience Store on Friars Point Road.
More than a dozen police and sheriff’s vehicles, two ambulances and state and regional law enforcement descended on the property shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
Roads leading to the Friars Point store were sealed off and the public was being directed away from the crime scene. The community was urged to stay away from the area until authorities could process the scene, gather evidence and determine exactly what happened.
The Clarksdale Police Department released this statement to the Clarksdale Press Register Friday evening:
“(At) approximately 5:03 p.m., Clarksdale Police responded to a call in the 200 block of McGuire Cove in reference to a complaint. As a result of the call, an officer was fired upon and sustained gunshot wounds, the suspect was shot and killed.
“The investigation has been turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations,” the department said. “The officer was transported to Memphis for treatment.
“No additional information is available for release by the Clarksdale Police Department,” the statement concluded.
As with all officer involved shootings, this incident was turned over the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI). Evidence collected in that investigation will be turned over the Mississippi Attorney General for possible prosecution.
The MBI also issued a statement to the Clarksdale Press Register about the shooting.
“The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting involving the Clarksdale Police Department that occurred on August 2nd, 2024,” said the statement.
“Officers with the Clarksdale Police Department were responding to a call for service regarding a traffic accident near McGuire Cove in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Upon arrival, an altercation occurred between an officer and the subject.” the statement continued. “The subject discharged a weapon, striking the officer.
“The officer then discharged his weapon striking the subject. The subject received fatal injuries and the officer involved has been transported to a hospital. This information is preliminary and subject to change.
“MBI is currently assessing this critical incident and gathering evidence,” the statement concluded
MBI officers could be seen at the site of the shooting as the sun went down about 8:30 p.m.
Unofficial reports said a Clarksdale Police officer was shot once in the thigh. The officer was taken to the Clarksdale emergency room with serious injuries, but was speaking to doctors, authorities and family before he was transported to Memphis.
The community is reminded that shooting a law enforcement officer is a capital offense and can carry the death penalty upon conviction. The community is also reminded that not revealing information about this shooting or aiding and abetting those involved can result in similar felony charges filed against you.
Anyone with information about this shooting is urged to call 911 immediately. You don’t have to give your name, just your information.
Authorities will be working on this incident throughout the night.
Also Friday afternoon, a Black SUV crashed through a fence between Merkel & Cocke law offices on Delta Avenue and the Cutrer Mansion, raced close to the Grotto and then drove down the hill and was stopped when it hit a tree. It is not known if this incident is related to the shooting further down the hill.
This story will be updates as more information becomes available.
