Car theft leads to shootout

Meridian, Miss. - This past Sunday at around 1:30 am the Meridian Police Department received a call from an individual that stated his car was stolen at gunpoint with his girlfriend still in the vehicle.

An officer located the vehicle in 3600 block of Poplar Springs drive. The driver exited the vehicle with a handgun and began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire hitting the driver multiple time resulting in the death of the driver.

The MPD officer was treated and said to be doing well according to Capt. John Griffith. He also stated the female the driver left with was found inside the vehicle uninjured.

The incident is being investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations.