Mississippi Bureau of Investigation responded to an officer involved shooting in Senatobia around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23.
An unofficial identification of the suspect shot by Senatobia and Hernando Police Department officers has been identified as Ronnie Lee Martin, 42, of Kentucky.
Reports from the Kentucky State Police Department state Martin lured his estranged wife to a hotel in Mount Vernon, Ky., on Friday, Oct. 21. According to reports, Martin had assaulted the victim prior to leaving with her in a vehicle described as a cream-colored 2007 Ford Edge with license plate #080-YCP.
Tate County Coroner, Pat Kizziah was sitting in his office in Pate-Jones Funeral Home on Highway 51 when he heard metal grinding outside. There was a visitation service taking place during that time.
“It sounded like a wreck outside the funeral home,” said Kizziah. “I jumped up and walked by the window. I saw the guy run by our pick-up van, and he had a gun in his hand. He ran toward the back of the parking lot.”
Kizziah said he went to the back door of the funeral home and looked outside. That is when he saw three police officers. Kizziah wasn’t able to identify who the officers were. He did note the officers had their weapons drawn, and the suspect still had a gun in hand.
Kizziah then went to inform the attendees of the visitation service to stay indoors because there was about to be a shootout outside. Kizziah said there was a standoff for a little while prior to shots being fired.
“They shot him,” Kizziah said. Kizziah confirmed the suspect was shot multiple times.
Residents close to the scene report hearing as many as seven-gun shots fired during the time frame of the incident.
Witnesses close to scene report seeing multiple vehicles wrecked associated with the incident.
SPD is unable to comment on the events. This is an ongoing investigation by MBI.
