Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday, leading to school lockdowns.
McComb Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said the incident occurred between Denman Junior High School and The McComb public library. He said officers encountered a man who displayed a weapon.
"He was given the command to drop his weapon and he did not and therefore the officer discharged his firearm," Lockley said
The man was taken to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. The extent of his injuries were not immediately known.
"We're not even sure if it's a student or a person off the street," Lockley said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will handle the probe into the shooting.
MBI officials said in a Wednesday afternoon statement that officers arrived at the scene and encountered a suspicious person.
“Officers were made aware the subject might be armed with a weapon and when they approached the subject, he made a movement towards the officers,” the statement said. “The officers then discharged their weapon, striking the subject. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.”
MBI officials were investigating the scene Wednesday afternoon. The findings of the investigation will be turned over to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, which will make the determination if the use of force was justified.
Lockley said that based on the information he has received, he believes the officer acted professionally.
"I hate that anyone was injured. I hate that the officer had to fire his weapon," he said.
McComb schools in the area were put on lockdown immediately after the lunch-hour shooting, and officials said there is no longer an imminent threat to public safety.
“The McComb School District initiated the lockdown out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Schools will remain in lockdown until authorities confirm that the area is secure,” the school district said in a statement.
This is the second officer-involved shooting to occur in McComb in a little over a year. On Nov. 14, 2024, a 16-year-old was killed after drawing a gun on former Police Chief Juan Cloy near the Pike Center Mart shopping center.
