MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The family of a man who was shot and killed by a DeSoto County Sheriff’s deputy after investigators said he shot a police K9 has hired an attorney, who is asking for transparency in the investigation.
The Carlos Moore Law Group said it has been retained by the family of Jamarcus Brown, who was killed in the shooting in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, on Feb. 21, 2024.
“The firm is fully committed to supporting the family and ensuring a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” said a statement from the law firm.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) said they are investigating the shooting which happened near U.S. 61, South of MS 3 in Lake Cormorant.
The MBI said deputies with the sheriff’s department were involved in a car chase when they performed a PIT maneuver on the suspect's car, which then came to a stop. The MBI said the suspect then shot a police K9 when the dog was released. That's when the MBI said the deputies returned fire, shooting and killing the man, later identified by family as Jamarcus Brown.
The MBI said the deputies involved did not receive any serious physical injuries. However, the K9, named Luca, was seriously injured and later died.
Brown’s family told ABC24 at the time that he had contacted them during the incident.
“I got him on Messenger. He Facetimed me,” said Tara Lathan. “He was like, ‘Ma, they done shot me in my back and my leg.’ He said, ‘I’m so scared. I’m so scared they gonna kill me.’ I said, ‘Baby hold on. Mama on her way, just hang on. They’re not gonna kill you.”
She continued, "He said, ‘Ma, they got the dogs out here on me. They got the dogs all around my car.’ That’s what he said. Then his phone hung up. I was praying and tried to call him back and his phone didn't pick up anymore."
Investigators have not said what led to the chase which started the chain of events. The MBI said they will share further information with the Mississippi Attorney General's office once their investigation is complete.