Manhunt underway for suspect accused of killing Mississippi police officer – Law Officer

MERIDIAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said law enforcement officers are looking for a man accused of gunning down a Meridian police officer as well as a woman, according to reports.

MBI said Officer Kennis Croom and an unidentified woman were found fatally shot about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The deadly shootings occurred on 51st Avenue in Meridian near the Alabama border, WAPT reported.

Croom was shot and killed after responding to a domestic violence call, Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler told the Meridian Star. The woman also died in the shooting, according to Cobler.

Officer Kennis Croom (Screenshot WAPT)

The manhunt remains underway as of early Friday morning, MBI confirmed.

Dante Marquez Bender, 31, is identified by law enforcement authorities as the suspect in the homicides. He is believed to be armed and dangerous and driving a 2004 black Nissan Armada with a tag that reads “IMANI,” Fox News reported.

Bender was last seen at 2408 51st Avenue in Meridian at approximately 5:36 p.m.- the time and place of the shooting – and was wearing a purple sweatshirt and purple sweatpants.

He is believed to be in the area of Interstates 59 and 20.