One dead after Vicksburg business shootout - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

One dead after Vicksburg business shootout

By David Kenney - bio | email

VICKSBURG, MS (WLBT) - It reads like an action scene from a television crime drama. A chase and then a shootout between a Vicksburg businessman and two suspected robbers.

The violent robbery and gun battle occurred Thursday night.  Police say one person was killed, an alleged robber, who fell to his death off a bridge at Highway 61 and I-20.

It all started with an armed robbery at the LaChiquita store around 8 o'clock Thursday night. Police say two men armed with assault rifles robbed the store and a customer inside, striking a clerk in the head with a gun before fleeing.

Police say the store owner chased the men until they crashed on the I-20 west entrance bridge. Police say there they exchanged several rounds of gunfire.

Police believe the store owner shot both of the robbers. One died a the scene. Another fled on foot. Detectives searched the area, but were unable to locate him. 

An assault rifle, ski mask, and the money stolen from the business were recovered near theiInterstate.

"We did recover a weapon, we recovered a ski mask we believe worn by one of the participants as well as some live rounds which may have come from the assault rifle. Right now we're still in the preliminary stages of the investigation," said Assistant Chief Jeffery Scott.

Police are now processing a Toyota Corolla driven by the robbers. They have not identified the deceased gunman.

The store owner, identified only as Thomas, suffered minor injuries and is not facing any charges at this time.

Workers in the same strip mall where this robbery occurred say other businesses in the area have been held up recently.  They were shocked at this latest incident.

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