06/10/16 Forest County, MS – Deputy Flagged Down To Assist Injured Hit In Head With Hammer – Police Cruiser Stolen With K9 In Car – Highspeed Chase – Crash – Suspect Shoots Himself In Head

June 10, 2016

wdam.com

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved Thursday night in a chase after a Forrest County sheriff’s cruiser was stolen.

The incident began around 10 p.m., when a Forrest County sheriff’s deputy was flagged down while patrolling with his K-9 on J.B. Horn Road, sheriff’s investigator Nick Calico said.

The citizen told the deputy a fight was in progress at a nearby house. The deputy sped to the scene, where he found a victim bleeding after having been hit with a hammer. Calico said he returned to his cruiser to call for medical assistance.

“He turned around and noticed someone had gotten into the vehicle,” Calico said.

The suspect, whose name is not being released at this time, took off down J.B. Horn Road, with the K-9 inside the car, and headed northbound on U.S. 49.

Forrest County sheriff’s officials gave pursuit, aided by Hattiesburg police and Mississippi Highway Patrol. They caught up with the vehicle on U.S. 49 at the south gate of Camp Shelby.

“Forrest County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop the vehicle with a stop stick, which was effective on one of the tires,” Calico said.

The suspect continued driving northbound on the highway and Hattiesburg police employed another stop stick, which was again effective on a second tire.

Calico said the suspect then turned on Edwards Street, then on Brady Road and finally made a right on Johnson Circle, where he crashed in a wooded area.

“When the highway patrol and Forrest County deputies approached, they heard multiple gunshots,” Calico said. “A highway patrol officer returned fire. Then officers approached, and it was determined (the suspect had suffered) a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The suspect was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Calico said no law enforcement officials or the K-9 suffered any injuries.

The incident is still under investigation by the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.