MBI: Suspect involved in officer-involved shooting on the loose, considered armed and dangerous

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WLBT) - UPDATE: Rankin County Sheriff’s Office has sent deputies and resources to assist in searching for the man accused of killing a Meridian police officer Thursday afternoon.

“Every time an officer is killed, regardless of if you knew them well or not, it’s a tragedy the same as losing a family member,” Sheriff Bryan Bailey said. “Our heart is broken for his family and the Meridian Police Department.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirms a Meridian police officer and an unidentified woman died during a shooting Thursday.

MBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on 51st Avenue in the Meridian city limits.

A Meridian police officer and an unidentified woman were killed.

The fallen officer’s name is not being released by officials. We are not releasing his name out of respect for the officer’s family.

The suspect, 31-year-old Dante Marquez Bender, is believed to be driving a 2004 black Nissan Armada with a tag reading “IMANI.” Bender may be armed and dangerous, MBI states.

He is described as a male, 31 years of age, standing 5′11″ tall. He weighs 299 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair.

He was last seen at 2408 51st Ave. in Merdian, around 5:36 p.m.

Anyone who seeks Bender is asked to call 911 or 1-855-485-8477.

Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Copyright 2022 WLBT. All rights reserved.