‘It went from 0 to 60′: 1 dead after deputy-involved shooting in Rankin County

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - One person was killed Tuesday after a deputy-involved shooting in Rankin County.

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. in the Robinhood community near the intersection of Lynell Drive and Bill Banks Street.

According to Sheriff Bryan Bailey, both of the deputies involved in the shooting are “fine physically, shook up mentally about what happened...”

The police call, said Bailey, came in as a drug overdose. Two deputies then responded to the call.

When deputies arrived at the seen they found 42-year-old Robert Rushton of Brandon in his vehicle while it was stuck in mud. Authorities say they gave the suspect commands to exit the vehicle.

According to officials, once the suspect exited, he displayed two knives, one in each hand. Officials say deputies then instructed the suspect to drop the knives as the suspect approached them.

Authorities say the suspect continued to approach the deputies.

“It went from zero to sixty, and the deputies had to use deadly force to protect themselves,” Bailey stated.

Bailey said his officers are “tore up” about the situation and that they “didn’t want to do what they did.”

Yet, the sheriff said he is thankful the two deputies followed their training and defended themselves.

Bailey offered his condolences to the suspect’s family, adding this is something he never wants to happen.

MBI is now investigating the incident.

Copyright 2021 WLBT. All rights reserved.