A nearly 10-hour standoff in Byhalia ended Sunday morning with an armed suspect dead after an officer-involved shooting, while another woman was found dead inside the home, authorities said.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said officers with the Byhalia Police Department responded around 11 p.m. Saturday to a residence on Church Street after a female occupant reported that another woman inside the home had been shot.
When officers arrived, the subject began firing shots at them, according to DPS. Officers then requested assistance from the DeSoto County S.W.A.T. team.
The subject continued firing at officers after S.W.A.T. arrived, DPS said. An officer then discharged a weapon, striking the subject, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Byhalia police identified the subject as Russell L. Kelly Jr., 47, of Memphis, according to WREG. Police said officers were able to help two adults and a child leave the home while coming under fire from a semi-automatic rifle.
Survivors told police a woman had been shot and killed inside the residence. Her identity had not been released as of early Sunday afternoon.
Police negotiators attempted to persuade Kelly to leave the home, but authorities said he refused and continued firing at officers, according to WREG.
No law enforcement officers suffered serious physical injuries.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case and, upon completing its investigation, will share findings with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
