Desoto County K9 to be honored, mother of suspect speaks out
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A police chase in DeSoto County ended with a suspect and a K-9 officer dead Wednesday. Now, officers are making plans to honor their K-9 killed in the line of duty while a family is planning a funeral.
As Tara Lathan grieves the loss of her son Jamarcus Brown, DeSoto County deputies grieve the loss of their own. Luca, a K-9 officer, was on duty when the MBI said he was shot and killed.
Suspect, K-9 dead after officer-involved shooting in north Mississippi
Lathan shared photos of her son as we talked over the phone Thursday. She said after 24 hours, she still has so many questions.
“We all have our faults or whatever, but he was a good-hearted person,” Lathan said.
In a Facebook Live video, you can hear Brown’s voice moments before he was killed and a dog in the background.
MBI said Brown led deputies on a pursuit after officers forced his car off the road. Authorities said Brown shot and killed the K-9. Brown was killed when deputies returned fire.
“He showed me and said he was shot in the leg and back, said he can’t move,” Lathan said.
Mother of MS boy detained for public urination files $2 million lawsuit
In a statement, DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle said, “The suspect made this decision by being non-compliant, firing at our officers, and fatally wounding our K-9.”
Lathan said her son was being pulled over for driving in a turning lane too long.
“He was scared and took off in the car and the two other people jumped out,” she said.
MBI told us what exactly happened and why Brown was pulled over is still under investigation.
“That’s what hurt me so bad. That’s my son y’all done killed but ain’t told me nothing,” Lathan said.
Click here to purchase a T-shirt honoring K-9 Luca. Sales benefit the American Law Enforcement Canine Handler’s Association.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
