Video: Grand Jury Finds Officer-Involved Shooting Death Of Baldwyn Man Justified

August 2, 2016

MorrisAdmin,

LEE CO., Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – On August 1, 2016, a Lee County Grand Jury was recalled to make inquiry into the officer-involved shooting death of Lyndarious Cortez Witherspoon on June 11, 2016.

The Grand Jury found that the actions of Officer Jason Whitenton in the shooting of Witherspoon were lawful and cleared Officer Whitenton of criminal wrongdoing.

The case was investigated by Paul Moore with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Moore was assigned to perform an independent investigation into the June 11th shooting.

Moore’s investigation revealed that there had been a pursuit of a possible suspect involved in a shooting in the city of Baldwyn.

The suspect was alleged to have shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, Alexandra Caldwell, in Baldwyn around 5:30 PM that day.

A bolo for the suspect was dispatched by Lee County Communications.

Tupelo Police Department officers came in contact with the suspect vehicle and a pursuit was initiated.

During the pursuit, the suspect fired numerous shots at the pursuing officers.

Multiple TPD vehicle units were struck by bullets fired by the suspect while the suspect was being pursued.

Witherspoon led pursuing officers to Hillsdale Apartments in Tupelo where the suspect was stopped. As Witherspoon’s vehicle came to a stop, Officer Whitenton observed Witherspoon point his weapon at Officer Whitenton.

Officer Whitenton fired five shots; firing the initial shots into the door of Witherspoon’s vehicle due to a concern that bystanders could possibly be in the line of fire.

After visual confirmation that no bystanders were in the line of fire, Officer Whitenton fired the remaining two shots through the open window; one of those striking Witherspoon on his left side, entering the left chest cavity.

Witherspoon also suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Witherspoon died after being transported to North Mississippi Medical Center.

The cause of death, as determined by the autopsy examination, is multiple gunshot wounds.