A woman in a relationship with the man fatally shot by a Tate County deputy has been found dead, according to law enforcement authorities.
Sheriff Brad Lance said Danielle Cooke was discovered deceased in her home on Highway 305 after an apparent homicide Sunday, Sept. 26, by deputies conducting a welfare check.
Cooke had a restraining order against Keath Cole, 50, of Como, who was shot and killed by a Tate County deputy after he fled during a traffic stop. Cooke had previously filed two complaints against Cole alleging domestic assault, according to Lance.
A patrol deputy attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Cole on Highway 4 East, a few miles from Cooke’s home, Thursday, Sept. 23, at approximately 4:10 p.m., in connection with an outstanding warrant.
Lance said Cole tried to elude the deputy by parking on the shoulder of Highway 4 and fleeing on foot into a wooded area behind Looxahoma Church of Christ on Lyles Road. Cole ran a couple of hundred yards before lying down behind a tree, attempting to hide from the deputy, Lance said.
The deputy was within a few feet of Cole when the suspect jumped up. According to Lance, the suspect refused to comply with several commands and the situation escalated to a point where the deputy discharged his weapon, fatally striking the suspect twice.
Lance said the deputy’s report on the incident is consistent with footage from his body camera.
“While his (Cole’s) body was turned sideways to the deputy, the deputy could see the left hand but could not see the right hand,” he explained. “It appeared he had his right hand in his waistband and all in one motion, he made movements that caused the deputy to believe he was in danger, so he fired his weapon, fired it twice, striking Mr. Cole twice.”
The deputy, whose name was not released, is on administrative leave as agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation sift through evidence and reports from the incident.
