Coroner identifies MS Coast man killed by Gulfport narcotics officers. What we know
Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Gulfport that killed a 22-year old Wednesday morning, Mississippi authorities confirmed.
George Jones III, 22, of Gulfport, died at Singing River hospital Wednesday morning of multiple gunshot wounds, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said.
The shooting occurred about 10 a.m. at the corner of Dedeaux Road and Three Rivers Road, Gulfport Police Sgt. Jason Ducre said.
Gulfport narcotics officers saw a “suspicious subject” walking down Dedeaux Road, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said in a press release.
Officers “attempted to make contact with the subject,” but the person fled and “presented a weapon towards the officers,” according to the Department of Public Safety.
The officers fired and struck the subject, the press release said.
Authorities transported Jones III to the emergency room at Singing River where he died at 10:47 a.m., Switzer said.
Switzer said authorities will transport Jones’ body to the crime lab on Wednesday and expect to complete an autopsy on Thursday.
It is unclear how many times Jones III was shot. Switzer said he does not release the location of a victim’s gunshot wounds.
The officers involved sustained no serious injuries, the Department of Public Safety said.
Gulfport Police and crime scene investigators were on the scene around 11:30 a.m. at an old bank building on the corner of the intersection. Traffic around the intersection had also slowed.
Ducre did not answer further questions about the circumstances of the shooting and directed all questions to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which investigates all officer-involved shootings in the state.
The Department of Public Safety called the information “preliminary” and said it could change.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will collect evidence share findings with the state Attorney General’s office after its investigation.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
