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Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Lee Tartt, 44, was killed in the line of duty during the early hours of Saturday morning in Tishomingo County. Agent Tartt was a 22-year law enforcement veteran and had been with MBN since September 2000. He was the 2011 MBN Agent of the Year and received the H. Lane Caldwell Award of Valor in 2012. He is survived by his wife and two children.
DPS Spokesperson Warren Strain said the MHP Swat Team and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was on scene with Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement. Strain said three other employees were injured during the standoff and taken to area hospitals.
Several sources confirm that Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Trea Staples of Laurel and Trooper Bubba Holifield, a Laurel native, who lives in Rankin County were shot and is in a hospital.
According to a Staples family member facebook post, Trooper Staples made it out of surgery and is currently in ICU, stable and in a forced coma in critical condition.
Media reports say that the suspect had taken his wife and child hostage inside a home south of Iuka, near the Alabama state line. Tishomingo County deputies, MHP and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics were on scene, witnesses told reporters.
When the suspect sent his wife and child out of the home, he opened fire on the officers, witnesses said.
The suspect was killed in the shootout, according to reports.
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation agents are reportedly on the scene investigating the incident.
MageeNews.com ask everyone to join together and pray for all agencies and families involved.
