Mississippi Department of Public Safety/Handout via Reuters
Two Mississippi police officers died in a shootout Saturday morning, according to reports. The two officers were identified by authorities as James White,35, and Zack Moak, 31. They were killed after responding to reports of shots fired in Brookhaven, which is about one hour south of Jackson. The suspected gunman, identified by officials as Marquis Flowers, was hurt during the incident. Flowers, 25, was taken to an area hospital. Police Chief Kenneth Collins said at a press conference following the shooting that “These were two awesome people who lost their lives in the line of duty and they're both heroes," CBS reported. In a statement posted on Twitter, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant wrote “Let us all pray just now for the family and loved ones of these fallen heroes. May the Good Lord hold them in his everlasting arms.”
