Officer, Murder Suspect Dead in Jackson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Detective Eric Smith, Det. Eric Smith

Detective Eric Smith (center) was killed after an altercation with a murder suspect.

A police officer and a murder suspect are both dead after an altercation on Thursday led to the fatal incident in Jackson, Mississippi. Here’s what you need to know.

1. It Happened at Police Headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson Mississippi, Jackson Police Headquarters

Police headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi.


The incident happened on the third floor of the police headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday around 6 p.m. local time. The situation was contained an hour later.


2. A Murder Suspect Killed a Police Officer After a Scuffle During Questioning
Earlier in the day, a murder suspect was arrested and brought in for questioning with Detective Eric Smith, reports the Jackson Free Press. During the interview, an altercation broke out and shots were fired. Apparently the suspect overpowered Smith and took his gun and shot him. Both were found dead.

“During an interview with the suspect, an altercation ensued and shots were fired resulting in the officer being shot and the suspect,” Hinds County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Othor Cain said. “Both have been pronounced dead.”


3. Sources Say Another Officer Killed the Murder Suspect

Eric Smith, Detective Eric Smith

The scene outside of the police headquarters in Jackson.


The Clarion Ledger reports that another officer ended up shooting and killing the suspect, not the slain detective.

4. Detective Eric Smith Was With the Jackson Police Department Since 1995
The fallen officer was with the Jackson Police Department since 1995. He is a graduate of Callaway High School and Hinds Community College and leaves behind a wife and two sons.

“He was a real man in every sense of the word in terms of trying to help his community and help his family,” Councilman Chokwe Lumumba said of Det. Smith.


5. It’s the Latest in a String of Murders Targeting Law Enforcement Officials
This is the latest in a string of murders targeting law enforcement officials. A West Virginia sheriff was shot dead at point blank while eating lunch in his car on Wednesday, a Texas district attorney and his wife were killed in their home on Monday, a Colorado corrections head was shot head at his home two weeks ago and another Texas DA was killed outside a courthouse three months ago.