Update: Tupelo Officer Cleared In Deadly Shooting

Update: District Attorney John Weddle says a Lee County Grand Jury has cleared Tupelo police officer Tyler Cook of any criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of Ronnie Shumpert.

By Allie Martin

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — There is a major development in the investigation into that officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of a black man, and has put Tupelo on edge.

It has been 44 days since the incident and there is a noticeable law enforcement presence at the Lee County Justice Center.

A Lee County Grand Jury began hearing evidence in the case Monday morning. That evidence was collected during a probe by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

It involves the June 18th shooting death of Ronnie Shumpert by Tupelo Police Officer Tyler Cook.

Sources say Shumpert was driving a car that had been spotted in the parking lot of the Town House Motel, a known trouble spot for drugs. Authorities said they tried to stop the car because of a broken tag light and failure to signal a turn.

Shumpert eventually stopped on Harrison Street, where he ran from the car. A short time later, Cook, who was nearby, used his K-9, Alec, to track Shumpert to a crawl space in the back of 916 Harrison Street.

Police say Cook sent the K-9 in to get Shumpert and that’s when Shumpert came out, allegedly fighting the dog, and the officer, who shot Shumpert.

In the weeks that have followed, pastors and other concerned citizens have held rallies, calling for justice for Shumpert and an independent investigation, among other demands.

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton said it is important to seek justice and respond appropriately.

“We got to have calm and peace in our city and, again, we would like to remind people that justice does not mean prosecution, justice does not mean vengeance, justice means the right outcome is achieved, based upon the true facts of the case”, said Shelton.

Shumpert’s family has filed a civil suit against the city, officer Cook and others asking for $35 million dollars.

The car Shumpert was driving belonged to Charles Foster, who was a passenger in the vehicle. He got out of the vehicle, was questioned and later released the same evening by police.