Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Confirms Teen’s Death in Police Incident

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Today, Mayor George Flaggs, in both his capacity as mayor and Police Commissioner, has confirmed in a statement that the person shot in yesterday’s confrontation with the Vicksburg Police Department near Bazinsky Road has died.

Here is the mayor’s remarks in their entirety:

A Message from Mayor George Flaggs Regarding the Tragic Incident on December 4, 2024

It is with profound sadness that I address the tragic incident that occurred in Vicksburg on December 4, which has left a 17-year-old deceased. Every loss of life is a tragedy, and the loss of such a young life is particularly heartbreaking. My deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

My thoughts are also with the Vicksburg Police Officers who were on duty to protect and serve our community. These officers were forced to make a split-second decision to use deadly force to protect their lives. This is an unfortunate reality our officers sometimes face, and I stand behind their commitment to safeguarding our city.

At this time, we have limited information regarding the events that unfolded. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is conducting an independent investigation into this incident, and I have full confidence that this process will provide clarity and a complete understanding of the situation. I ask our community to withhold judgment until all the facts are known, recognizing that this is not an easy request, especially in times like this.

As your Police Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring transparency in this process and will keep the citizens of Vicksburg informed as more details emerge. We are dedicated to providing the answers that our community deserves.

Let us continue to come together as a community, offering support to one another and honoring the life of the young person lost.

Sincerely,

George Flaggs

Mayor of Vicksburg
Police Commissioner