Two suspects in custody after shots fired in DeSoto County

David Royer
·2 min read
5

UPDATE — Two suspects are in custody according to the Southaven Police Department.

They have been identified as 19-year-old Lamottis Simms Jr. and 18-year-old Franshawn Brown.

Both suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of receiving stolen property.

The suspects were in possession of a stolen Nissan Altima and a stolen firearm.

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SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Police spent all day Monday looking for suspects who led officers on a chase before bailing out and firing shots toward officers Monday morning in DeSoto County.

The suspects are believed to be in a warehouse on Hamilton Road in Southaven, where police have brought in an armored vehicle. Police are considering using tear gas to get the suspects out.

“This is a fluid situation and could be lengthy,” Southaven Police said in a press release.

Southaven Police said it started in Horn Lake, where officers were pursuing suspected auto thieves driving a gray Nissan Altima with a temporary Tennessee tag north on Horn Lake Road.

They say Horn Lake Police deployed stop sticks at DeSoto Road, but the vehicle continued on flat tires.

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The pursuit led into Southaven, where the Altima turned onto Stateline Road, then headed south on Interstate 55. It hit the median on I-55 and two suspects bailed out of the car.

Police say the suspects ran across I-55 to get away. At one point, police said one of the suspects fired shots at officers, who returned fire. No one was struck by the gunfire, police said.

The suspects ran into a warehouse on Hamilton Road. Police are still searching for them.

  • (Photo by: WREG’s Mike Suriani)
    (Photo by: WREG’s Mike Suriani)
  • Police presence on I-55, from MDOT cameras.
    Police presence on I-55, from MDOT cameras.

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Some lanes of I-55 just south of the Tennessee state line were blocked Monday as officers continued to search for the suspects.

Police asked people to avoid the area if possible, to be aware of their surroundings, and to call the Southaven Police Department at 662-393-8652 if they have any information.

Chris Hollacheck of Nashhville was staying at the Quality Inn on Hamilton Road, directly across from the warehouse where those suspects were believed to be hiding.

“Definitely a crazy way to wake up this morning,” he said. “Saw a bunch of cop cars rushing through as I was eating breakfast at my hotel and now I’m seeing a bunch of guns, so I’m a little confused on what’s going on.”

Southaven Police, Desoto County Deputies and Mississippi Highway patrol extended their search to a subdivision around Hamilton and Hillbrook Drive.

They were a welcomed sight for Carolyn Stainback, who walks her dog daily and is concerned about suspects on the run.

“By them being around I feel safe walking, and I’m just walking her right here around my yard. Normally I go down Hillbrook but I’m staying close to home,” she said.

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