Editors note: Editor’s mother and niece were driving in their car and witnessed the shooting firsthand.
Officer Gale Stauffer
TUPELO–The officers were responding to a robbery at BancorpSouth’s Glaster Creek Village branch when they
(Source: WTVA.COM)
were shot.
The bank robbery call came in at about 3:15 p.m.
The two officers responded and confronted the suspects on south Gloster Street.
The suspects jumped out of their vehicle, a white SUV, and began shooting.
Police said they do not yet know if the officers returned fire, only that multiple casings were found in the area.
Mayor Jason Shelton
Officer Gale Stauffer, 38, was pronounced dead at 3:46 p.m.
The other officer, whose name has not been released, is 26 years old and in critical condition.
Police say a citizen picked up one of the officers’ radios and called in “officer down.”
(Source: WTVA.COM)
Authorities are searching for two or three suspects, who are said to be heavily armed.
Monday evening, Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton issued a public appeal for information.
There is $50,000 reward for information about the suspects’ location. If you have any helpful information, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-773-TIPS. Investigators are looking for a African-American man, approximately 6 foot 3 inches tall. He
was wearing a Carhartt hoodie, blue jeans, and a ski mask. They are also searching for a dark gray Dodge Stratus that they believe to be the getaway vehicle. BancorpSouth announced they will match the FBI reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest, bringing the total reward to $100,000.
The FBI and U.S. Marshals are on the scene, with other agencies reaching out to offer assistance to find the suspects.
Authorities are still interviewing witnesses.
There will be grief counseling tomorrow for Tupelo police.
SOURCE/WREG NEWS/MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE/
