VPD should have continued pursuit – Chief Burns

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Police Chief Larry Burns said in a candid conversation with the Vicksburg Daily News that his units should have continued the pursuit of murder suspect Rashid McCrory into Louisiana.

“That was miscommunication,” said Chief Burns. “Yes. We will absolutely pursue a known felon. In that particular case, that was the murder suspect in the murder on 61 South. The reason I keyed up and said to terminate the pursuit is because I didn’t have all the information,” said Chief Burns.

Vicksburg police had information that wanted murder suspect Rashad McCrory, 25, was in a black Dodge Challenger. The vehicle was on Highway 80 heading into Vicksburg. Police attempted to stop the suspect vehicle on Clay Street in Vicksburg, but the Challenger ignored the lights and sirens from police and attempted to flee. As it fled, it struck a police vehicle. The suspect then sped west on Clay and then turned onto I-20 West, fleeing from multiple units.

A high-speed pursuit ensued, with unmarked city units and vehicles from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office joining in. The Dodge Challenger hit speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour as it fled from law enforcement.