Eric Smith Update: Miss. cop, Smith, struggled with suspect before being fatally shot at headquarters, police say
(CBS/AP) JACKSON, Miss. - Officials in Mississippi say two detectives tried for several minutes to restrain murder suspect Jeremy Powell, who they had been questioning before the suspect wrestled away a gun, fatally shot one of the detectives and then committed suicide.
During a news conference Monday, Police Chief Rebecca Coleman confirmed for the first time since the April 4 shooting at Jackson police headquarters that another detective was in the room. Coleman says that detective fired one shot before her gun apparently jammed. The detective then left the room to get help.
Detective Eric Smith and his partner were wrapping up Powell's questioning Jackson police headquarters when Powell began to pace. Smith and the other detective tried to restrain Powell for as long as four minutes. The suspect's handcuffs were unlocked.