The results of a forensic test on the bullet that killed an infant during a police shooting with the baby’s father are in, but authorities have not released the information.
Biloxi Police Chief John Miller cited the ongoing independent investigation the agency is handling when refusing to provide reporters with more information.
The shooting happened May 3 after Gulfport police, Mississippi Highway Patrol and Harrison County deputies started chasing the baby’s father and double homicide suspect Eric Derrell Smith, 30, of Baton Rouge.
The pursuit started after Smith’s blue Nissan Altima crossed state lines into Mississippi with his 4-month-old boy, La’mello Parker, in the car with him. Authorities said Smith had kidnapped his son and had the baby in his lap or in the front seat during the pursuit. Once Mississippi law enforcement used spike strips, Smith continued to drive at speeds as low as 10 mph. When the car got stuck in the grassy median just west of the Woolmarket exit, Smith opened the car door, and the shooting started.
Videos from drivers on the interstate show officers fired over 20 rounds into the car. Miller said Smith shot at the officers first. Smith died of gunshot wounds at the scene, and the baby died a day later at an Alabama hospital.
Biloxi police are independently investigating the shooting since Gulfport police, Harrison County sheriff’s deputies and state troopers were involved in the shooting.
Biloxi police have not said whether there is any body camera footage of the shooting.
The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.
