Crime
Off-Duty McComb Police Sergeant Jason Blake Fatally Shot While Aiding Civilian, Suspect Died by Suicide
MCCOMB, Miss. — Authorities have confirmed that a deadly shooting in McComb on Tuesday afternoon claimed the lives of two individuals, including off-duty McComb Police Sergeant Jason Blake, who was fatally shot while attempting to assist someone in need.
According to McComb Police Chief Earnest Perry, Sgt. Blake responded to a personal request for help from an individual, despite being off duty at the time.
Upon arriving at the residence near Highway 44 and Cole Thomas Road, he encountered an armed suspect who opened fire.
Reports indicate that the gunman shot two people inside the residence, killing one of them, before turning the weapon on himself in an apparent murder-suicide.
Sgt. Blake was shot during the incident and later died from his injuries.
Sgt. Blake had served with the McComb Police Department for five years and had a total of 16 years in law enforcement, including time with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.
He was remembered by Chief Perry as a dedicated officer and a cherished member of the force.
“This is some of the stuff we sign up for. He died doing what he loved,” said Chief Perry.
“He was a big teddy bear — well-loved in the community. It’s just a sad day for all of us.”
McComb Mayor Quordiniah N. Lockley also expressed sorrow over the loss, confirming that two other individuals were shot during the incident — one of whom succumbed to their injuries.
The identities of the other individuals involved have not yet been released, as the investigation remains active.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the shooting.
Chief Perry asked the community to keep Sgt. Blake’s family, friends, and fellow officers in their thoughts.
“Until we figure out the circumstances, just keep us in your prayers,” Chief Perry said.
Sgt. Jason Blake leaves behind a wife and children.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.