** The below Press Release has been issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety / Tishomingo County Sheriffs Department **

Friday night, February 19, at approximately 5:15 pm, the Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic call on County Road 201, near the Mississippi/Alabama State Line. After my deputies and I arrived on the scene we realized that we were dealing with a very serious and dangerous situation. The suspect, identified Charles Lambert, 45, of Iuka, who had a lengthy criminal past, was noncompliant to our request and eventually the situation escalated to a hostage situation involving the wife and 10 –year-old little girl. I requested assistance from MHP SWAT team and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations so we would have extra resources in place to help dissolve the situation.

After negations were exhausted, two SWAT teams entered the home and gunfire was exchanged with the suspect. Unfortunately MBN Agent Lee Tartt was fatally shot and three MHP SWAT members were injured during the encounter.

Lambert was killed during the gun fire. A high-powered rifle was recovered from the crime scene.

Our ultimate goal was to get the wife and little girl out of the home. We were able to successfully reach our goal; however, it did come at a great price to the officers involved. The investigation now has been turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and, all the evidence will be presented to the next Tishomingo County grand jury as standing procedure. Our department is fully cooperating with the investigators and the District Attorney’s office to ensure complete transparency.

I would like to send my gratitude to all law enforcement, first responders, and medical staff that came to our assistance early Saturday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the officers and families affected by this incident.

Sheriff John Daugherty

Tishomingo County Sheriff