Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Probes Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting in Hancock County
PEARLINGTON, Miss. — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is looking into an officer-involved shooting involving the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office that left one man dead Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in the area of Old Gainesville Road near Highway 604 in Pearlington, a small community near the Mississippi-Louisiana border.
According to officials, deputies were dispatched in response to a domestic violence call involving a woman reportedly being held against her will. Authorities say the caller indicated that the woman was being restrained and handcuffed by an armed male suspect inside a vehicle.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they located the vehicle described in the call and were able to remove the woman from the car safely. During the rescue, the suspect, later identified as 51-year-old Willie Carroll of Cypress, Texas, allegedly brandished a firearm.
In response, deputies discharged their weapons, fatally striking Carroll. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hancock County Coroner.
Officials confirmed that no deputies were injured during the confrontation, and the woman was freed from immediate danger. Her identity has not been released, and authorities have not commented on her condition or whether she required medical treatment.
Per state protocol, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation. Agents are working to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review all circumstances leading up to the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be shared with the Attorney General’s Office for independent review.
The fatal encounter has drawn attention in the local community, both for the swift actions of deputies in removing the woman from harm’s way and for the tragic outcome of the armed standoff. Domestic violence advocates have underscored the dangers victims face when armed abusers exert control, emphasizing the importance of rapid law enforcement intervention in such cases.
As of now, authorities have not released details about the relationship between Carroll and the woman, or whether she had previously sought protection or filed complaints. Neighbors in the Pearlington area expressed shock at the incident, noting that while the rural community is generally quiet, the risks of domestic disputes escalating into violence are ever-present.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is expected to release further updates as the case develops.
