Authorities: Mississippi officer, 1 other dead in shooting

MERIDIAN, Miss. — A police officer has died along with one other person after an officer-involved shooting Thursday in an eastern Mississippi city, authorities said, adding a suspect was being sought.

Officer Kennis Croom and a pregnant female victim died from the shooting at around 5:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of 51st Avenue in Meridian.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said in a statement that it is investigating the shooting and also seeking the public’s help in locating a 31-year-old suspect,  Dante Marquez Bender, who could be armed and dangerous. He is believed to be driving a 2004 Black Nissan Armada with a personalized tag “IMANI.”

Authorities did not disclose specifics other than to say the were investigating an officer-involved shooting. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation statement said only that the officer and a “deceased female” were both found at the scene on a Meridian avenue.

Published reports say Croom was shot in the head while trying to save four children in the house where Bender allegedly killed his pregnant fiancee.

Multiple law enforcement sources said Bender was a recently terminated officer from the Newton Police Department.

The Meridian Police Department has called a news conference for 9 a.m. Friday.