A pursuit that began in Monroe County ended in Lee County with the suspect being shot by a state trooper. About 4:30 p.m., Sunday, June 24th, an MHP Trooper attempted to stop a 1992 GMC Suburban on US45 in Monroe County. The driver of the SUV did not yield to authorities and fled. During the pursuit the suspect fired two shots, on two occasions at law enforcement officers (a total of four shots). The pursuit extended into Lee County where a Tupelo police officer deployed a “stop stick” in the highway, which is designed to deflate the vehicle’s tires. The vehicle was disabled when the tires deflated and the driver lost control as he attempted to continue to operate the vehicle. The suspect got out of the Suburban brandishing a handgun and continued to flee on foot. He would not respond to verbal commands to stop. After crossing US45, the suspected turned toward troopers, with weapon in hand, and was fatally shot.
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Gerald John Wagner of 85 Green Meadow, Picayune, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
Gerald John Wagner
