In a statement released Thursday morning from the office of Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., it was confirmed for the first time that the suspect in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday on Bazinsky Road has died.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) confirmed Wednesday evening that the agency had stepped in to assist Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) following he afternoon shooting and per state policy, but said at the time the unnamed suspect had received “serious” injuries.

Although the name of the suspect has not been released, an unresponsive Black male was loaded into a local ambulance on the scene less than an hour after the shooting.

“During the execution of a search warrant, an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Flaggs said in the statement. “While the incident remains under active investigation, we can confirm that the officer involved was not physically harmed. Tragically, the individual involved in this incident lost their life. Our thoughts are with all those impacted, including the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life, as well as our officer and their family.”

Both Vicksburg Chief of Police Penny Jones and MBI officials confirmed Wednesday the shooting took place after officers attempted to serve a warrant at a home on Bazinsky Road.

“Officers with the Vicksburg Police Department were attempting to serve a warrant at a residence in Vicksburg,” MBI officials said in a statement. “Upon arrival, officers encountered the subject, the subject displayed a firearm towards the officers. The officers then discharged their firearms striking the subject.”

Flaggs said MBI will continue its investigation and more information will be made available as it is confirmed.

“As is standard procedure, an outside agency, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, has been brought in to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation,” he said. “This ensures that the process remains transparent and that all facts are evaluated fairly.”

The officer involved in Wednesday’s shooting has been placed on administrative leave, per VPD policy.

“This step is a routine part of protocol and should not be interpreted as an indication of any wrongdoing on the officer’s part,” Flaggs said. “This is a difficult and emotional time for our community, and we ask for your understanding as the investigative process moves forward.”