New information released on deputy-involved shooting

New information has been released about a deadly, officer-involved shooting last week in Lauderdale County.

Newscenter 11 has learned the man shot and killed by a Lauderdale County Sheriff's Deputy was threatening the deputy with a "pellet gun."

The victim has been identified as Jeremy Gabriel. Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie confirms Gabriel pointed a pellet gun at deputies outside a house on Fred Haguewood Road Friday before Major John Calhoun discharged his weapon and shot Gabriel twice.

Sollie says his department goes through life or death, split decision training scenarios to prepare for situations like this, but the sheriff says there was no way responding deputies could determine whether the gun Gabriel was pointing at them was a BB gun or a real firearm.

"Based on the call that was dispatched to the deputies responding, that he had intent on hurting someone and himself. The officer has to make the decision if he is intending on hurting someone and himself. If he comes out brandishing what is perceived to be a handgun, the officer has to make a split second decision to protect himself and those others that are present," said Sheriff Billy Sollie.

Major John Calhoun has been put on administrative leave. That's standard protocol in officer involved shootings. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is now handling the case and will present it to a grand jury.

Deputies had responded to a residence on Fred Haguewood Road. According to the sheriff, a caller to 911 said a family member was acting erratically and claimed he was wanting to hurt himself or others.

Officials said the deputy’s body cam and dash cam were operating at the time of the shooting. Those images are part of the investigation and will be put in the case file for any grand jury review.