UNDATED: This FBI poster shows the suspect wanted in connection with the shootings of two police officers in Tupelo, Miss. The suspect's vehicle, shown inset, is described as a gray sedan, possibly a late-model Chrysler 200.FBI
The FBI believes that the man accused of fatally shooting a police officer and wounding another while fleeing the scene of a bank robbery in Mississippi has died in Arizona after being shot by police during another robbery.
The Jackson, Miss. FBI office said in a statement early Sunday that they believe the individual shot by a Phoenix, Ariz. police detective is the same man who is wanted in connection with Monday's fatal bank robbery in Tupelo, Miss., and also tried to rob a bank in Atlanta on the same day.
'Based upon information which has been developed over the course of this investigation, we believe that this suspect is the same individual who is responsible for the attempted bank robbery in Atlanta, the robbery of the BancorpSouth in Tupelo, the shooting of Officer Joseph Maher, and the murder of Officer Gale Stauffer,' the statement read.
A press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Central Time in Tupelo to discuss the case further.
The FBI statement said a man described as being 5-feet, 9-inches tall with a light complexion and wearing a mask entered a bank in Phoenix, filled a bag with cash from the bank's vault, and fled the scene. The suspect then encountered the police detective who shot and killed him outside the bank.
MyFoxPhoenix.com reported that the robbery took place at a Compass Bank and was reported by a witness across the street, who saw the suspect enter wearing a white mask. MyFoxPhoenix.com also reported that the suspect was shot after he fired at the responding officers.
The suspect in the two previous bank robberies was described as being between 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 6 feet tall with a slender build. The FBI released a wanted poster Friday showing the suspect wearing a facemask, a patterned jacket, khaki pants, and tennis shoes.
Police Sgt. Kevin 'Gale' Stauffer, 38, died from gunshot wounds Monday. Law enforcement from as far away as Florence, Alabama, Jackson and Memphis, as well as local law enforcement, attended his funeral on Friday.
Also shot was Officer Joseph Maher, 27. Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre said Maher's wife reported he has greatly improved over the last two days and was able to walk with assistance.
'We thank everyone for support and prayers,' Lee County (Miss.) Sheriff Jim Johnson said Friday. 'We are asking that because of social networking that any information that is obtained by any source other than that of officials working this case to be considered non-reliable. Please use caution if posting information due to the safety of the officers that are still working to apprehend the person or persons responsible.'
Stauffer's family said the strength of the community is helping them get through this rough time.
'Everybody has been so wonderful to us through this week. And, the overwhelming love and support that this community has given us has helped us make it through,' his mother, Debbie Brangenberg, told WTVA-TV in Tupelo.
Stauffer's wife, Beth, says it's her strong faith that keeps her standing and says she'll never give up.
'I have my moments. But, I'm at peace with Gale because I know he died doing something he loved. The way he was at work as a leader is what he was like at home,' Beth Stauffer said.
The FBI had offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the man responsible for the shooting.
bberitaa.blogspot.com contributed to this report.
Posted by Unknown on Saturday, December 28, 2013 - Rating: 4.5
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