Teen hospitalized with gunshot after chase
The 17-year-old male suspect involved in a car chase with law enforcement on Christmas night remains in a Jackson hospital with what is currently believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons said.
The teenager was initially transported to Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian and later to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, according to Lyons. His exact condition is “unknown” at this time but he is still in the hospital, Lyons said. Reports listed his condition as “critical.”
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been brought into the investigation, Lyons said.
“MBI has been contacted in this matter to assist in the investigation,” Lyons said. “This case is still ongoing at this time. PD will have more information as it becomes available.”
According to Lyons the suspect has not been charged or arrested at this time.
“Charges are expected but we will address those once he has been released from the hospital,” Lyons said.
Lyons noted further details may be limited as they expect to charge the suspect through Youth Court.
“He is not expected to be charged as an adult in this case,” Lyons said.
Lyons said on Dec. 25, at about 11:19 p.m. a Philadelphia Police officer noticed a vehicle parked in the parking lot of the library with bullet holes in it and the rear window shot out. The officer made contact with the driver and attempted to identify him.
The officer then observed an open container of alcohol in the console as well as the odor of what he believed to be marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and believed him to be under the influence, according to Lyons. The driver was then identified as a 17-year-old male.
The officer returned to his vehicle and radioed for an additional officer to assist him, Lyons said. While doing so the juvenile sped off going the wrong way on Beacon Street.
Officers pursued the vehicle as it turned onto Range Avenue and continued onto County Road 505.
The vehicle then turned on Highway 492 east and south onto Highway 19 toward Meridian.
About a mile onto Highway 19, officers observed the vehicle began to drift off the road and into the median before coming to a stop, Lyons said.
Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department and Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department approached the vehicle and noticed that the juvenile was unresponsive and bleeding from the head. Lyons said officers then burst the window to gain entry into the vehicle and observed a handgun in his lap.
Officers realized that the blood was from a gunshot wound to the head. Lyons said investigators believe the wound to be self-inflicted.
Officers rendered first aid to the juvenile while awaiting EMS who then transported the juvenile to Anderson.
Lyons said the bullet holes in the suspect's vehicle were related to a shooting incident earlier that day on Cora Street in which someone in the suspect’s vehicle fired multiple shots and hit a residence and a mailbox. Lyons said gunfire was then returned and the vehicle was hit multiple times.
Lyons said PPD was not informed about that incident until hours later. That incident remains under investigation.
“No additional information has been advised at this time of that incident,” Lyons said.
Anyone with information related to this or any other crime is encouraged to call the Philadelphia Police Department at (601) 656-2131 or East Mississippi CrimeStoppers at 1-855-485-8477.