Mississippi authorities are searching for a man who is a suspect after a Meridian police officer and a woman were killed on Thursday.
Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said the officer and woman were fatally shot during a domestic violence call around 5:36 p.m. CDT, The Meridian Star reported. Police have not released the names of the victims, WLBT-TV reported.
According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Dante Marquez Bender, 31, is being sought by authorities, WTVA reported.
Bender is believed to be driving a 2004 black Nissan Armada with a tag reading “IMANI,” WLBT reported. Bender may be armed and dangerous, according to the MBI.
“Every time an officer is killed, regardless of if you knew them well or not, it’s a tragedy the same as losing a family member,” Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said in a statement. “Our heart is broken for his family and the Meridian Police Department.”
The Meridian Police Department announced a news conference for Friday at 9 a.m. CDT, WTOK-TV reported.
According to Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones, the officer is a former Jackson police officer, WAPT-TV reported. Jones said Meridian police and the officer’s family members will release his name to the public.