Update: D'Iberville teen was attempting 'suicide by cop,' chief says

D'IBERVILLE -- Investigators believe an 18-year-old who pointed a weapon at a police officer wanted the officer to kill him, Police Chief Wayne Payne said. The officer fired toward the teen but did not hit him.

"We feel this is a prime example of suicide by cop, or attempted, in this case," he said a few hours after Tuesday's shooting.

"Nobody was hurt, thank God, and the young man is at the hospital getting assistance."

Investigators found a note in his home that said he wanted to end his life, Payne said.

The teen lives at the home in the 5400 block of Quail Creek Circle, where police were called at 8:04 a.m. to a report of a burglary in progress. Payne said officers arrived at 8:06 a.m. The neighborhood is in a subdivision off Lamey Bridge Road.

Police then learned it was not a burglary.

"The house was his mother's house and she was home and in the house," Payne said. "Investigators discovered a note in the house that led us to believe he wanted to die."

He said the officer will be placed on administrative assignment pending an internal investigation.

"We will follow our protocol for a shooting that didn't cause injuries," Payne said.

Payne said things happened quickly as officers arrived.

"When officers got there and rounded the corner, they saw a male who had what appeared to be a rifle," Payne said. "The officer told him to drop the weapon but he lifted the weapon and pointed it at the officer. The officer discharged his service weapon at the suspect but missed, and the male immediately dropped the weapon and he was taken into custody."

Payne said the officer fired two shots at the teen, who was pointing a weapon that turned out to be pellet gun.

"Thankfully, no one was struck," Payne said. "We are going to evaluate the situation to determine what charge will be filed."

The District Attorney's Office was called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Payne said he also called on the Harrison County Sheriff's Office to do an independent investigation.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics typically is called to investigate officer-involved shootings resulting in death or injury, but it's not required in a shooting in which no one is wounded.

The teen has not been identified.

Officer-involved shootings are uncommon in South Mississippi, but Tuesday's incident was the second in a week.

Gautier police said a man fired at officers responding to a domestic violence call March 1 at the man's home. Police said Mickey Dewayne Sweatt, 37, died in an exchange of gunfire. MBI is investigating that shooting.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Update: D'Iberville teen was attempting 'suicide by cop,' chief says ."