It all started because Smith was resisting eviction. Officers pumped tear gas into an apartment, then shot and killed Smith, who emerged firing at them at the end of an hours-long standoff, authorities said Tuesday.
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The shooter in the overnight standoff in Brookhaven has been identified as 31-year-old Toby Smith.
Deputy Coroner Ricky Alford said Smith died of gunshot wounds, but whether they were self-inflicted and how many there were is not clear at this point.
One officer was injured during the standoff, which happened when a SWAT team was sent to the community of Brookhaven 50 miles south of Jackson Monday evening over reports that a suspect was barricading himself in an apartment he was supposed to be evicted from, according to a New York Times report.
Warren Strain, a spokesman for Mississippi Department of Public Safety, says the standoff started because the man was resisting eviction. “It was just very horrifying”, Chris Thomas said.
An officer suffered an injury Monday from the gunfire, but it is unclear if he was hit by a bullet or shrapnel.
Bell said his agency has not dealt with Smith in the past that he knows of.
Strain said Smith died around 11:30 p.m. Bell said the body was sent to a state crime lab for an autopsy.
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In the hail of gunfire, two officers sustained minor injuries, but remained on the scene. “When he opened the door, shots were exchanged”. Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said he wasn’t immediately aware if his agency has a past with Smith or not, but that he’s looking into his history. “Violators will be shot”.
